MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner junior Taylor Walker makes a pitch in the third inning of the Tritons’ 10-0 win over the Port Charlotte Pirates Friday. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

Port Charlotte left-hander Daniel Schiller struggled to find the strike zone in the third inning of Friday’s high school baseball game against the Mariner Tritons.

He eventually did, but by that time, the Triton hitters were poised to strike.

With the bases loaded in the third, sophomore Alex Santana jumped on the first pitch from Schiller and hammered it to the scoreboard in center field for a grand slam. On the next pitch, junior Daniel Alimonti sent the ball even farther to left field for a solo homer.

Alimonti also connected on a two-run blast in the second inning, powering the Tritons to a 10-0 victory over the Pirates.

“We haven’t been real aggressive at the plate,” Mariner coach Steve Larsen said. “Guys who mix their pitches, speeds and locations have given us trouble and we showed that in the first and second inning.”

MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner senior Angel Laborde makes a throw to first after fielding a slow roller at short in the Tritons’ win over the Port Charlotte Pirates Friday. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

“Sometimes it takes one hard hit to spark you,” Larsen added. “Danny (Alimonti) hit the ball hard and the guys hitting behind him hit it hard, and then we got some confidence.”

The Tritons (3-0) notched their third victory in a span of four days. They opened the season Tuesday with a 9-3 win over Ida Baker and defeated Palmetto Ridge 7-6 in eight innings Wednesday.

Junior Taylor Walker, a 6-foot-4 right-hander, was sharp on the mound in his first start of the season against Port Charlotte (2-1). He allowed two hits and struck out four over five innings, recording the shutout.

The Tritons have more experienced starters in seniors Ryan Patton and Ryan Schneider, but Larsen said Walker has improved a lot since pitching on the junior varsity team last year.

“He’s not projected to be our first or second starter, but he’s going to get a start here or there. He sure as hell proved himself,” Larsen said.

MICHAEL PISTELLA Mariner sophomore Walter Cleary hits a single to right field in the second inning of Friday’s 10-0 win over the Port Charlotte Pirates. More photos from the game are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

The Tritons supported Walker with outstanding defense, along with the offensive production, which began in the second inning.

After Bryan O’Connor walked, Alimonti came to the plate with one out. Alimonti was ahead of the count, two balls and one strike, when Schiller threw a pitch as he was still getting ready at the plate.

He got ahead three-and-one, though, and then was looking for the fastball.

“I knew he had to come with it, so I had to be aggressive and jump on it,” he said.

Alimonti gave the Tritons a 2-0 lead, and they came back with five runs in the bottom of the third.

Schneider, Anthony Santo and Audry Santana each drew walks, loading the bases for Alex Santana. He cleared the bases with one swing, giving the Tritons a 6-0 lead.

Leading 7-0 after Alimonti’s second home run, the Tritons scored two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to force the 10-run rule.

Angel Laborde had an RBI single and O’Connor added a sacrifice fly in the fourth. Santo delivered an RBI single in the fifth, scoring pinch runner Spenser McKee.

The Tritons are idle until next Friday when they host Barron Collier.

Port Charlotte 000 00 – 0 2 2

Mariner 025 21 – 10 8 0

W – Walker. L – Schiller.

2B – Harrison (P). HR – Alimonti (M) 2, Alex Santana (M)