Ozuna Makes History as Jupiter Sweeps St. Lucie

A walk-off two-run homer by Marcell Ozuna was the highlight in game one, and the Jupiter Hammerheads (70-61) held off the St. Lucie Mets (79-51) 4-2 in game two to complete the doubleheader sweep on Tuesday night. With two RBI on the night, Ozuna set a new single-season franchise record with 91. It was also his second walk-off bomb this year. The Hammerheads are now a season-high nine games over .500.

Southpaw Charlie Lowell was impressive in his Jupiter debut on the mound in game one. However, staked to a 1-0 lead in the top of the third, he allowed a game-tying solo homer to Cesar Puello. That was the only mistake Lowell made as he cruised through the Mets lineup for five innings. He allowed just the one run on five hits and struck out five.

Jupiter looked to put Lowell in position to win the game in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded and just one out, but failed to capitalize. The momentum quickly swung into the Mets favor as they pounded out three runs in the top of the sixth for a 4-1 lead.

The Hammerheads were resilient and chipped away at the lead in the bottom half of the frame. Ozuna got the offense started with a single and later came in to score on an RBI by Noah Perio. A sac fly by Taylor Krick drove in Ryan Fisher, who had singled, to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Christian Yelich, who had struck out in each of his first three plate appearances on the night, slapped a single into left field to give Jupiter life in the bottom of the seventh inning ahead of Ozuna. On a 1-2 pitch, Ozuna blasted a line drive down the left field line for the game-winning homer and the record breaking RBIs to give Jupiter a 5-4 victory. It was his 23rd long ball of the season which ties him for the FSL lead and for the Jupiter franchise record.

Mike Ojala (3-4) picked up the win with an inning and one-third of scoreless relief for the Hammerheads. Adam Kolarek (1-3) was charged with two runs in two-thirds of an inning and his third blown save on the year.

In game two, Jupiter's bats picked up right where they left off in the first inning. Yelich and Ozuna both walked and Fisher gave the Hammerheads an early 1-0 lead with an RBI-single. Mark Canha was next with a two-run double. Mets' starter Angel Cuan retired the next two batters he faced, but was knocked out of the game on an RBI-double by Noah Perio. At the end of the frame, Jupiter was up 4-0.

Over the next four innings, it was goose eggs for both sides as the St. Lucie bullpen picked up Cuan's slack and Zach Neal was effective on the hill for Jupiter. Neal (4-1) went on to pick up the win as he completed five shutout innings. He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out one.

The Mets threatened late, but Hammerheads' closer Michael Brady shut the door on them. With two runs already in and the lead down to 4-2, Brady entered in the top of the sixth with a runner on base. With the tying run on plate, Brady made quick work of Robbie Shields with a three-pitch strikeout. After recording two quick outs in the seventh, the next two batters reached on flare base hits. Brady then walked Cory Vaughn to load the bases. He went on to record his 21st save of the season by inducing an infield pop out from Richard Lucas to end the game.

With a 3.5 game lead over Bradenton for first place in the Southern Division's second half, Jupiter's magic number to clinch is at 2 with five games left to play.

The Hammerheads and Mets play the third and final game of this series at Roger Dean Stadium tomorrow night with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.