Photo Credit: Bradley Walker NGSC Sports
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The Clearwater Threshers continued their dominance over the Dunedin Blue Jays. Clearwater rallied late for an 8-4 victory in the latest matchup. The win added another chapter to this crosstown rivalry. It also marked the final regular-season meeting between these teams. The Threshers entered the game with a 10-4 record against Dunedin. That mark represents their most successful campaign against their crosstown rival. However, two of Dunedin’s four wins came in extra innings. Clearwater has controlled this rivalry throughout the 2024 season. The Threshers have won or split every series since July 2024. That stretch shows just how difficult Clearwater has been for Dunedin. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays entered the series eight games from a playoff spot. Therefore, every game carries added importance for Dunedin.
A Hot Night at the Ballpark
The weather created another challenge for both teams. The game took place under hot and humid conditions. There was also minimal cloud cover throughout the evening. The Blue Jays took the field wearing their road gray uniforms. They paired those jerseys with royal blue caps. Meanwhile, Clearwater wore baby blue tops with red and white striped pants. The Threshers also wore matching baby blue caps. Clearwater wasted little time making an impact offensively. Center fielder Will Gasparino opened the scoring with a solo home run. The blast gave the Threshers an early 1-0 advantage. Dunedin answered with a long ball of its own. Giaconio Lasaracina launched a solo home run to tie the game. The two teams then battled through several scoreless innings.
Dunedin Takes Control
The Blue Jays eventually broke the tie in the sixth inning. Third baseman Jake Bennett delivered a two-run home run. His blast pushed Dunedin ahead and gave the Blue Jays momentum. Dunedin continued its offensive push later in the inning. First baseman Jonathan Hogart delivered an important single. The hit scored shortstop Matthew Ferrara from third base. That play extended Dunedin’s advantage to 4-2. At that point, Clearwater needed a response. The Threshers eventually found one when the game mattered most. Their offense erupted late and completely changed the game’s direction.
Threshers Explode in the Eighth
Clearwater began its comeback with a massive swing. Second baseman Nolan Beltran launched a two-run home run. That blast cut into Dunedin’s lead and sparked the Threshers. The next hitter immediately followed with another home run. Catcher Will Verling launched a solo shot to give Clearwater the lead. The back-to-back homers put the Threshers ahead 6-4. However, Clearwater wasn’t finished attacking.
The Threshers continued the eighth-inning rally with timely base hits. A wild pitch also helped Clearwater add to its advantage. By the end of the inning, Clearwater had scored five runs. The rally expanded the Threshers’ lead to 8-4. The offensive explosion completely flipped the game’s momentum. Clearwater’s bats ultimately produced an impressive 16-hit performance. The Threshers scored eight runs without committing an error. That combination gave Clearwater another important victory against Dunedin. The Blue Jays finished with nine hits and four runs. However, Dunedin also committed three errors during the contest. Those mistakes added pressure during a game decided late.
Clearwater Continues Its Rivalry Dominance
The 8-4 victory gave Clearwater another win over Dunedin. It also strengthened the Threshers’ impressive record against their crosstown rival. Clearwater now owns a 10-4 mark against Dunedin this season. More importantly, the Threshers continue controlling the season series. They have won or split every series since July 2024. That consistency has made Clearwater the stronger side in this rivalry. Dunedin still has plenty to play for moving forward. The Blue Jays began the series eight games outside the playoff picture. Consequently, every remaining opportunity becomes increasingly important.
For Clearwater, the victory provides another boost against a familiar opponent. The Threshers showed patience before delivering their biggest offensive punch. Their five-run eighth inning ultimately decided the contest. The final numbers tell the story clearly. Clearwater scored eight runs on 16 hits without making an error. Dunedin scored four runs on nine hits with three errors. The final regular-season meeting ended with Clearwater on top. The Threshers once again found a way to beat their crosstown rival. Now, Dunedin must regroup while Clearwater looks to keep rolling.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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