Marathon Tours State In Playoff Preview And Goes Undefeated

On Thursday, the Marathon Dolphins completed one of their most important weeks of the 2026 season, and they did so in grand fashion, defeating Glades Day 14-1.

The win over Glades Day was the end of a week that featured the Dolphins traveling up the middle of the state from the Keyes, to face three of their Rural District 8 playoff opponents.

It was a week in which they outscored their opponents 36-4, and served notice that Marathon is the team to beat in the race for a state title.

“This week was a super important week,” said Manager Joey Gonzalez. “All three games represented different challenges, and facing three of the teams in our district, and beating them all, was rewarding for these guys.”

The week began on Tuesday, with a 14-2 win over Moore Haven, a team that was previously 4-1. Eighth-Grader Reef Rella picked up the win, going five innings, allowing only three hits, while striking out 10.

“Rella pitched really well on Tuesday, picking up his second win of the year for us,” said Gonzalez.

Jack Chapman was 3-for-4 in the game, driving in two runs, and scoring two more. The Dolphins put on an offensive show, with 14 runs on 11 hits, including doubles from Chapman, Gabriele Cirina, and Roco Piscetello.

The next game, however, was the one that defined the trip for the Dolphins. Facing a team in Forte Meade, that defeated Marathon three of the four times they played in 2025, including knocking the Dolphins out of the playoffs in the regional semifinals. In that three game series, the Miners outscored Marathon 20-4.

On Wednesday, Marathon returned the favor, pounding out eight hits, scoring eight runs in the 8-1 win. The offense in this one came largely from Cirina, who went 2-for-3, with two runs and two RBIs, and Jason Stubblefield Jr., who added two hits and three RBIs.

Dylan Williams did the heavy lifting on the mound, going six innings, allowing only one run, and striking out nine. Cirina threw a perfect inning, striking out three, to close out the win for the Dolphins.

“This was a game we had circled all year after they knocked us out of the playoffs last year,” said Gonzalez. “They are a really high quality, highly ranked opponent, and it was a good measuring stick for us. Dylan was outstanding, and went toe to toe with their ace, and we were able to work him out of the game early. It was a big win.”

All that was left for Marathon to complete the perfect win was the Thursday match-up with Glades Day. This time, it was Cirina who took the mound, and threw a complete game, allowing only one run, while striking out eight.

He also contributed a triple, and an RBI.

Chapman and Stubblefield Jr, who both had huge weeks, were a combined 3-for-6, with four runs and four RBIs. Chapman has now gone 12 for his last 15.

Bradley Buigas, Rella, and Curren Nicolay, all added two RBIs each.

“Taking care of business on the last day, after playing the two days before, closed out a great week for us. Gabriele was dominant on the mound, and the offense continued what they had started the two days before,” said Gonzalez.

The Dolphins are now 6-2 on the year, and have established themselves as one of the teams to beat in the chase for a state title in the Rural classification this season.

Despite the big week, there is no time to relax for the Dolphins, as they welcome undefeated Ransom Everglades (6-0) on Tuesday.

“We just have to continue to get better, and prepare ourselves for another strong playoff run at the end of the year,” said Gonzalez.

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