FORT MYERS \u2013\u00a0The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels no-hit the Dunedin Blue Jays Sunday afternoon, winning the final game of the series 3-0 at Lee Health Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Fort Myers (14-7) used four pitchers to combine for their sixth no-hitter in franchise history, and first nine-inning no-hitter since 2023. Mussels\u2019 arms\u00a0Merit Jones,\u00a0Matthew Becker\u00a0(1-0),\u00a0Eric Hammond\u00a0and\u00a0Jake Murray\u00a0shut down the Dunedin (9-12) lineup, needing just 104 pitches to complete the historic win.<\/p>\n
The last time Fort Myers threw a nine-inning no-hitter was May 14, 2023. Cory Lewis, AJ Labas, Gabriel Yanez and Ben Ethridge combined to blank the Tampa Tarpons, also by a 3-0 final.<\/p>\n
Their most recent no-hitter was on July 24, 2024 in a rain-shortened game in Dunedin.<\/p>\n
The Mighty Mussels are the second team to throw a no-hitter in Minor League Baseball in 2026. The other occasion was on April 22, when Braxton Garrett of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Triple-A, MIA) threw 8 no-hit innings in a 2-1 loss.<\/p>\n
It is the first no-hitter in the Florida State League since Aug. 15, 2025, when three Clearwater Threshers combined to no-hit Lakeland.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Mighty Mussels sent Jones to the mound to make his second appearance of the week against Dunedin. Jones hit the leadoff batter JoJo Parker but faced the minimum after the runner was picked off first base.<\/p>\n
Jones retired the side in order in the second inning. The righty did not strike out any Blue Jays but was economical, only needing 34 pitches to complete 3.1 innings of work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like I had a little bit of everything,\u201d Jones said after the game. \u201cI was able to make it work and pitch to contact and get some outs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones highlighted the team\u2019s ability to limit damage after Dunedin got runners on base as a catalyst for their success in this series.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a testament to the coaches and the staff here, and all the hours they put into scouting,\u201d starting catcher\u00a0Ryan Sprock\u00a0said following today\u2019s historic game.<\/p>\n
Sprock, in his first full season as a catcher, acknowledged the effort it took him in the offseason to fully transition to his new role behind the plate. He took a foul ball off his body and exited the game in the eighth inning, but says he is feeling better.<\/p>\n
In the bottom of the third inning,\u00a0Byran Acuna\u00a0reached on a fielder\u2019s choice with one out. Three batters later with two runners on,\u00a0Yasser Mercedes\u00a0ripped a two-out RBI single to score Acuna and give the Mussels the first run of the game.<\/p>\n
Becker relieved Jones with one out and a runner on in the fourth inning. He made his professional debut Sunday afternoon after being selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 19th round of the 2025 draft.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Becker retired the two batters he faced after entering, stranding the tying run at third base.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt good going into today, and Merit [Jones] started out really good, so just build off that,\u201d said Becker. He witnessed a no-hitter at the University of South Carolina last year, but this was the first one he had contributed to.<\/p>\n
Continuing into the fifth, Becker made quick work of Dunedin. In the sixth, the southpaw worked around a one-out error by Acuna to put up a zero.<\/p>\n
The Mighty Mussels added on in the bottom of the sixth inning. Mercedes worked a leadoff walk against Franly Urena. Following walks of Smith and Young as well, Sprock blooped an RBI single down the right field line to give Fort Myers a 2-0 lead.<\/p>\n
In the seventh inning, Becker navigated around another Mussel error to hold Dunedin scoreless.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe led the way taking over after Merit [Jones],\u201d Sprock said of the 23-year old Becker. \u201cThat\u2019s a testament to him and his hard work, waiting for his number to be called and when it did\u2026 he took full advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manager\u00a0Jordan Smith\u00a0turned to Hammond in the eighth inning, and much like Becker, he worked around an error to put together a scoreless frame.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust attacking the zone and trusting my defense behind me,\u201d Hammond said of his approach on Sunday. \u201cWe\u2019re just trying to make each other better every day, and when we put it together\u2026we\u2019re just having fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Sprock\u2019s injury,\u00a0Irvin Nunez\u00a0entered the game as the Mussels\u2019 backstop.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The offense got back to work in the bottom of the eighth, manufacturing a run off of a leadoff hit by\u00a0Byron Chourio. Chourio, who entered the game as an injury replacement, scored following a stolen base and two fly balls to make it 3-0.<\/p>\n
Fort Myers completed their no-hitter after turning to Murray with two outs in the ninth, who struck out David Beckles to finish the feat.<\/p>\n
The Mighty Mussels also tallied their MiLB-leading sixth shutout of 2026 on Sunday.<\/p>\n
After the game, Hammond pointed out the consistency in their process, led by pitching coaches\u00a0Richard Salazar\u00a0and\u00a0Dylan Hawley.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the guys execute and they follow the plan, good things happen,\u201d Salazar said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Mighty Mussels continue to pace all of professional baseball in team ERA, down to 2.27. That mark is 1.16 runs better than the next best team, the Palm Beach (Single-A, STL).<\/p>\n
The Mussels hit the road this week to take on the Daytona Tortugas. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. There will not be an audio broadcast on the Mighty Mussels\u2019 Baseball Network throughout the series, but there will be coverage on Mussel\u2019 social media accounts. Daytona will have a video feed available on\u00a0MiLB.TV\u00a0and the Bally Sports Live App.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seven-run fifth inning leads Mussels to series ein over Dunedin\u00a0<\/p>\n
FORT MYERS \u2013\u00a0The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels defeated the Dunedin Blue Jays by a score of 9-2 Saturday night at Lee Health Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
The Mighty Mussels (13-7) won their fourth consecutive game behind their best offensive inning of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Leading 1-0 in the fifth inning,\u00a0Ryan Sprock\u00a0led off with a double and\u00a0Bryan Acuna\u00a0followed up with a walk. Sprock came home on an RBI groundout by\u00a0Dameury Pena.<\/p>\n
Ramiro Dominguez\u00a0was next, and he showed off his opposite field power, ripping an RBI double to score Acuna.\u00a0JP Smith II\u00a0followed up by smoking a 105.5 mph single to bring home Dominguez, extending the lead 4-0.<\/p>\n
Minnesota Twins No. 14 prospect\u00a0Quentin Young\u00a0continued the rally by scorching an RBI double off the wall in center to drive in Smith. The ball came off the bat at 109.6 mph.<\/p>\n
Jayson Bass\u00a0followed with an RBI single, and\u00a0Irvin Nunez\u00a0drove in a run on a sacrifice fly to make it 6-0. The final two runs of the frame came on an error and an opposite field single from Acuna, moving the lead to 8-0.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In total, Mussels brought 12 men to the plate, scoring seven runs on six hits. All three of those statistics are single inning season highs for the Mussels\u2019 offense.<\/p>\n
Fort Myers brought 19-year-old\u00a0Ramiro Villanueva\u00a0up from the Florida Complex League Saturday and tabbed him with his first start at Single-A. Villanueva gave up a leadoff single in the first inning, but was helped out by his defense as JoJo Parker was caught trying to swipe third base.<\/p>\n
The Mighty Mussels struck first in the bottom of the second inning against Dunedin (9-11) starter Brandon Berriera (0-2). After a leadoff walk for Bass, Sprock\u2019s two-out RBI single brought home the first run of the game.<\/p>\n
After facing the minimum through three, Villanueva worked around a pair of two-out walks, ending his first Florida State League debut with four shutout innings. Villanueva topped out at 96.9 mph with his fastball while recording five strikeouts.<\/p>\n
Adam Falinski\u00a0(2-0) took over for Villanueva and worked around a walk in the each of fifth and sixth innings to keep Dunedin off the board.<\/p>\n
With one out in the seventh inning, Yorman Licourt doubled to break up a streak of 22 consecutive Blue Jays batters who failed to record a hit, dating back to the first inning leadoff single by Parker.<\/p>\n
Dunedin got on the board on a sacrifice fly by Austin Smith to drive in Licourt. Cresswell followed by doubling in Smith, making it 8-2 after six and a half innings.<\/p>\n
In the bottom of the frame, Acuna recorded his second RBI single of the night to score\u00a0Byron Chourio, making the score 9-2 Mighty Mussels.<\/p>\n
Xavier Kolhosser\u00a0took over for Falinski and struck out five over the final two innings to wrap up Fort Myers\u2019 fourth straight win. The series\u2019 victory is the second for the Mussels in their first four matchups of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As part of their dominant offensive night, the Mighty Mussels stole two more bases. This now puts them in a tie with Daytona for the most in the FSL (42).<\/p>\n
Mercedes\u2019 go-ahead homer lifts Mussels to third win in a row<\/p>\n
FORT MYERS \u2013\u00a0The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels defeated the Dunedin Blue Jays by a score of 5-4 Friday night at Lee Health Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Much like the previous night, the Mighty Mussels\u2019 (12-7) offense fought hard to avoid the shutdown inning after Dunedin (9-10) extended their early lead. Training 3-1 in the fifth inning against Luis Victorino (0-1),\u00a0Byron Chourio\u00a0clubbed a leadoff home run to center field at 102 mph for his first blast of the season, making it 3-2.<\/p>\n
Ricardo Pena\u00a0followed with a walk and a double by\u00a0Yilber Herrera\u00a0set the table for the top of the order. After the next two hitters failed to drive in the runners,\u00a0Yasser Mercedes\u00a0smoked an opposite field 352-foot home run to give Fort Myers its first lead, 5-3.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mercedes has now connected on three extra-base hits in his last two games.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fort Myers sent\u00a0Matthew Dalquist\u00a0to the mound to make his second start of the season. He struck out leadoff hitter Dariel Ramon, then allowed a base hit to Blaine Bullard.<\/p>\n
David Beckles singles two batters later, followed by Enmanuel Bonilla who did the same. Bonilla\u2019s hit scored Ramon, giving Dunedin a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. The righty ended up stranding the bases loaded in the first.<\/p>\n
Dalquist worked a scoreless second inning, facing the minimum. After a two-out hit-by-pitch of Ramon, Dalquist caught the runner leaning and R. Pena applied the tag to end the top of the second inning.<\/p>\n
Still 1-0 Dunedin in the bottom of the fourth inning,\u00a0Jayson Bass\u00a0reached on an error on a flyball to left field and advanced to second on the misplay.\u00a0Ian Daugherty\u00a0took advantage of the error, ripping an RBI single into left field, and Fort Myers tied the score 1-1.<\/p>\n
A one-out rally in the top of the fifth put Dunedin back in front. Ramon walked, then Blaine Bullard tripled to straight-away center field. Adrian Pinto followed up with a double to give the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead halfway through the game.<\/p>\n
Chourio and Mercedes connected on their fifth inning home runs to flip the lead and change the momentum of the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Michael Hilker Jr.\u00a0(2-0), who got the final two outs for Dalquist in the fifth, continued to pitch well in innings six and seven. Hilker Jr. allowed two hits over 2.2 innings, shutting down the Dunedin offense after the Mussels took the lead.<\/p>\n
Mitch Mueller\u00a0relieved him in the eighth inning, striking out one Blue Jay across a clean frame of work.<\/p>\n
Brian Zeldin\u00a0(S2) got the ball in the ninth inning. He allowed a two-out home run to Bullard, who had four hits on the night, but rebounded to lock down the save and finish off the third win in a row for Fort Myers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"FORT MYERS \u2013\u00a0The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels no-hit the Dunedin Blue Jays Sunday afternoon, winning the final game…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":125582,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-248329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=248329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/125582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=248329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=248329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=248329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}