Jupiter Threatens But Fall to Miracle

Jupiter, FL- Jupiter Hammerheads (32-39) threatened but could not quite grab the win. Fort Myers relied on the power of Steele to frustrate the Sharks tonight at Roger Dean Stadium.

The Hammerheads had two situations with the bases loaded and could not manage to get the runs across when needed the most. In the bottom of the 5^th the Sharks managed to put across one run on two hits, mainly the 9^th bomb of the year for Taylor Ard. Chris Hoo followed that up with a two out double, Brian Schales walked and Justin Bohn worked a base-on-balls to load up the bases for Jeremias Pineda.

Pineda grounds back to the pitcher and he is retired for the final out of the inning leaving them loaded for the first time. The Hammerheads trailed 3-1 at that point through the 5^th and 6^th innings.

Fort Myers tacked on an insurance run in the top of the 7^th, A.J. Murray led off the inning with a double down the left field line, Alex Perez singles to center field and Murray trots across home plate to move it to a three run lead and that was all the run production needed in the 4-1 final, a victory for the Miracle their 2^nd in a row since dropping the first game of this series.

Jupiter threatened in the bottom of the 8^th; Justin Bohn reached on a one out single to left field, Junior Sosa lined one to center field and Bohn advanced to third base. Dexter Kjerstad walked to load the bases up for the second time in three innings.

Todd Van Steensel (S,4; 3.74 ERA) replaced John Curtiss and immediately induces a fly out to center field leaving the bases loaded and booking a victory for Fort Myers.

Taylor Ard went 1-for-4 with a long ball, his 9^th of the season and one run scored. Jeremias Pineda finished 1-for-4, Junior Sosa went 1-for-4 and Chris Hoo extends his hit streak to seven games with a 1-for-4 day, a double, his 5^th of the season was his solo hit.

Jeff Brigham (L, 1-5 5.81 ERA) pitched a serviceable effort, kept the game close allowing five hits and three runs, with four strikeouts and one base-on-balls. Nefi Ogando had his best rehab outing working one inning scoreless with two strikeouts, rounding back into the form that makes him an MLB arm.

James Buckelew allowed three hits and one earned run, with three strikeouts during two innings in relief. Ben Holmes delivered a scoreless 8^th and 9^th with two hits, no strikeouts and no walks.

On Deck

The St. Lucie Mets (36-33, 1-1) come calling tomorrow, first pitch at 1:00 PM on Sonny's Family Sunday. The Hammerheads will send to the mound Jorgan Cavanerio (5-6, 3.45 ERA) against Scarlyn Reyes (4-7, 5.60 ERA) for the Mets. The Sharks fall to (1-2) in the second half of the season and 32-39 overall.

Final: Miracle 4, Hammerheads 1
WP: Keaton Steele (3-6). 
LP: Jeff Brigham (1-5). 
SV: Todd Van Steensel (4). 
Time: 2:23. 
Attendance: 617.