Cade Climie hit the first home run of his career and drove in six runs as the Clearwater Threshers defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 8-6 Friday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. The victory gave Clearwater its second straight win and improved the Threshers to 69-53 overall and 29-27 in league play. Lakeland fell to 60-61 overall and 29-27 in league play, and the loss knocked the Flying Tigers out of the playoffs.
Climie delivers in the sixth and seventh
Jonathan Hogart opened the scoring with a leadoff home run to left field in the second inning. Hogart has hit 17 home runs during the 2026 season, including six that led off an inning. In the sixth, Matthew Ferrara reached on an infield hit, Hogart was hit by a pitch and Macon Winslow doubled home Ferrara before Climie hit a three-run home run to left field with two outs and two runners on base.
Climie added a two-run single in the seventh inning after Winslow doubled, Lane Haworth singled and Matt Quintanar walked to load the bases. His six RBIs were the most by a Clearwater Thresher since May 2024. Clearwater scored four runs in the sixth inning, while Lakeland added one run in the bottom half and two more in the seventh.
Youngerman earns the win
Sean Youngerman earned the victory after pitching five innings of one-run baseball. He allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four batters to improve to 3-7. Youngerman also completed his fourth professional start of at least five innings.
Cal Higgins allowed one run on one hit with two walks and two strikeouts in one inning, while Brendan Sweeney allowed two runs on three hits with one walk and one strikeout. Higgins and Sweeney made their professional debuts in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively. Elias Holbert pitched one scoreless, hitless inning and walked one batter.
James Tallon finished the ninth inning with two runs allowed on three hits, one walk and one strikeout. He struck out the final batter to seal the 8-6 victory. Clearwater will play the Tampa Tarpons in the first round of the FSL playoffs, although the date and time were not provided.
Next up
The Clearwater Threshers will continue their six-game road series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday, August 29, at 6 p.m. The game will be played at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. Clearwater will then face the Tampa Tarpons in the first round of the FSL playoffs.
Source: Original report