Friday the Beecher Muskies concluded their Pool Play games in the 2026 NABF Charles M. Blackburn Major Division World Series. After winning their first two games of the tournament’s pool play games, Friday would have the Muskies face the 1-1 Cleveland Marlins. The Muskies would be the home team, and for them on the mound would be Lucas Acevedo facing off against Marlins starter Ricardo Medrano. The game would be a no score contest until the third inning. The game was hard to get offensively going at first partially because of the rainy conditions at Lee Pfund Stadium. Then, in the third inning after two outs, the Muskies would have two infield errors and a walk and a hit by pitch. After all of this, the Muskies would still be able to have the Marlins only score one run. After a scoreless Muskie third and a scoreless fourth, the fifth inning is where Cleveland would do their damage against the Muskies. After Acevedo gave up a leadoff walk and a single, he would strikeout a batter then would forfeit a hit by pitch. Acevedo then gave up a single and Muskie Manager Fred LeSage would go to the bullpen having reliever Camden Kearney come into the game. Kearney would get a big out then give up a two-run single then another single. With two outs in the top of the fifth was where the real damage by the Marlins against the Muskies was done. Marlin top of the lineup center fielder Austin Mora would hit a bases clearing three run triple. After finishing the damage done in the 5th, the Muskies would then score a run from a bases loaded RBI walk by right fielder Andy Gaytan. The Muskies would keep the Marlins from scoring in the top of the sixth then score two of their own and be only four runs behind. In the top of the seventh the Marlins would score another two runs from a two RBI single by newly subbed into the game first baseman Matt Brofman. With the Muskies down six runs going into the Muskie bottom of the seventh of a seven-inning game, lots had to be done by the Beecher offense. The Muskies would lead off the inning with back-to-back walks and a RBI single by catcher Andrew Mack. Next, Tyler Brody would walk, and Nolan Czako would add to his RBIs on the day with two more from a single. After a Bren Milburn strikeout and a Andrew Olszewski hit by pitch, Muskie shortstop Gabe McHugh would come to the plate with the bases loaded, and his team down by three and the opportunity for a walk off grand slam. Instead, Marlins closer Robinson Reyes would get the strikeout and secure the win by thwarting the Muskie late come back attempt. Muskie starter Lucas Acevedo would get the loss going 4 and a third and giving up 4 earned runs. Despite the loss to end pool A play, the Muskies will play Saturday August 1st at 11:00 AM at Lee Pfund Stadium against the Buffalo Diesel in the single elimination bracket section of the tournament. The Buffalo Diesel were also 2-1 in Pool play and this game is a rematch of the 2024 Championship game which saw the Diesel come out on top. The Beecher Muskies look forward to the rematch and to their chances to continue in this year’s tournament.

By – Luke Sanders