Cardinals Take Game One With Marauders

JUPITER, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals defeated the Bradenton Marauders 5-2 on Sunday evening in matchup between first and second place in the Florida State League South standings. Carson Kelly led the way with three hits for the Beach Birds.

Bradenton (66-60) was able to strike first in its first trip to the plate on Sunday. The Marauders started the contest with back-to-back singles from Junior Sosa and Austin Meadows. Harold Ramirez then followed with a sacrifice fly to right field that would allow Sosa to tag and score to give Bradenton the early 1-0 advantage.

Palm Beach (70-56) answered Bradenton in the second inning when they plated a run to tie the game at one. The Cardinals used walks from Mason Katz and Danny Diekroeger along with a single from Carson Kelly to load the bases with nobody out. Robelys Reyes was then able to drive in the tying run with a sacrifice fly to left field.

The Marauders were able to answer quickly in the third inning as they posted another run to take a 2-1 lead. Sosa led off the frame by reaching on an error and advancing to second on a wild pitch. A single from Meadows then moved Sosa to third as Ramirez collected his second RBI with a fielder's choice.

In the fourth, the Cardinals were finally able to break through with a multi-run inning as they plated three to take a 4-2 lead. The Beach Birds started the inning with back-to-back walks from Katz and Diekroeger once again. Kelly then drove in Katz with a RBI-double to once again tie the game. Then with one out, Reyes was able to plate Diekroeger and Kelly with a two-RBI double through the hole on the right side.

The final Palm Beach run came in the sixth inning as a product of three singles. Kelly and Blake Drake both singled to start the frame then with one out C.J. McElroy grounded into a fielder's choice that left runners at the corners. Casey Turgeon then followed by singling in the final insurance run and capped the scoring at 5-2.

Kelly led the Palm Beach Cardinals offensive charge with a 3 for 4 performance at the plate with two runs scored and a RBI. Drake also chipped in with a 2 for 4 night at the plate along with an impressive diving catch that ended the game.

Luke Weaver (8-5) recorded the win for the Beach Birds. Weaver allowed two runs, only one earned, on seven hits with one walks and three strikeouts in six innings pitched. Kevin Herget picked up his seventh save of the season with three innings of relief work. Herget allowed just one hit and struck out two Marauders. Luis Heredia (4-6) took the loss for Bradenton.

The Palm Beach Cardinals and Bradenton Marauders return to Roger Dean Stadium on Monday at 6:35 p.m. for game two of this three-game series. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com. Also follow the Palm Beach Cardinals on Facebook and Twitter (@GoPBCardinals) for updates and news around the ballpark.