FORT MYERS – Charlee Soto threw five innings of shutout ball as the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels defeated the Daytona Tortugas 4-3 on Saturday night at Hammond Stadium.

After a four hour and 27 minute rain delay, the 18-year-old Soto set a new career high in innings and pitches with 78. He struck out six batters, walked one and allowed just two singles over his five innings of work.

In a scoreless game in the bottom of the first, Walker Jenkins drew a leadoff walk for Fort Myers (43-40, 12-6). Left fielder Byron Chourio followed with a single up the middle to set up first and third with no outs. Brandon Winokur then singled to center to put the Mussels ahead 1-0.

Still leading by that score in the fourth, Fort Myers loaded the bases on a walk and a pair of singles. With one out, Chourio was hit by a pitch to make it a 2-0 game.

In the sixth, Tanner Hall (1-0) was called from the bullpen. Ariel Almonte doubled before Tortugas’ (42-42, 11-7) catcher Connor Burns connected on a game tying home run to even the score 2-2.

In the bottom of the frame, Yohander Martinez, Angel Del Rosario and Ryan McCarthy all worked walks to load the bases with no outs. Jenkins then shot a single into center to put the Mussels back in front 4-2.

Still leading by that score in the ninth, Hall allowed a leadoff single and a walk to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. Xander Hamilton then entered from the bullpen. He allowed a single to make it a 4-3 game, but struck out the side and stranded the bases loaded, earning his sixth save of the season.

Friday’s game was rained out.

The Mussels return to action today, July 14, at 12:05 p.m. Spencer Bengard (6-1, 1.32) starts for Fort Myers, opposite Nestor Lorant (7-2, 1.15) of Daytona. Coverage begins at 11:45 a.m. on the Mighty Mussels Baseball Network.

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