Jupiter Fires On All Cylinders In 8-0 Win
Collection of big hits back Hammerheads' second straight shutout
Back when the team was mired in what would become a 15 game losing streak, the Jupiter coaching staff told players that when they all performed up to their abilities, they were the best team in the league. With big hits from throughout the order and a second consecutive shutout, the Hammerheads made good on that praise in an 8-0 win over Brevard County.
For the second game in a row, the top four hitters in the Hammerheads lineup combined for seven hits, while the pitching staff limited the Manatees to just three. On this night, the top of the order knocked two hits apiece, including Jake Smolinski's two-run double to break the game open in the 1st inning and Kevin Mattison's first home run of the year, a two-run shot in the 2nd.
But the biggest hit of the night was Seth Fortenberry's first of the year. The left fielder made a terrific catch in Wednesday night's game, but couldn't connect at the plate. Thursday, he smoked a bases-clearing triple to deep center, driving in the final three runs of the night.
It was an especially big hit for a team that has had trouble recently with leaving men on base. An error allowed Jeremy Synan to reach in the first at-bat of the inning, followed by a walk to Smolinski and newly-named FSL All-Star Ben Lasater's single to load the bases with no outs. But a pop fly and a strikeout had the Hammerheads looking at the possibility of failing to take advantage of the opportunity, especially with Fortenberry stepping to the plate in just his second game since signing with the team.
Of course, by that time, Jupiter had a 5-0 lead with starter Brad Hand having the game, well, in hand. In his best effort of the season, the lefty allowed just two singles in six innings. And while the team combined for their second consecutive shutout, Hand had a personal back-to-back of his own; as he did in his previous start, he struck out seven batters while allowing just one walk.
Relievers Andy Loomis, Isaac Morales and Corey Madden made sure Hand's start held up, with Loomis and Madden each tossing perfect innings.
The Hammerheads have now won four of their last five and will look to take the series from Brevard County tomorrow night at Roger Dean Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
For the second game in a row, the top four hitters in the Hammerheads lineup combined for seven hits, while the pitching staff limited the Manatees to just three. On this night, the top of the order knocked two hits apiece, including Jake Smolinski's two-run double to break the game open in the 1st inning and Kevin Mattison's first home run of the year, a two-run shot in the 2nd.
But the biggest hit of the night was Seth Fortenberry's first of the year. The left fielder made a terrific catch in Wednesday night's game, but couldn't connect at the plate. Thursday, he smoked a bases-clearing triple to deep center, driving in the final three runs of the night.
It was an especially big hit for a team that has had trouble recently with leaving men on base. An error allowed Jeremy Synan to reach in the first at-bat of the inning, followed by a walk to Smolinski and newly-named FSL All-Star Ben Lasater's single to load the bases with no outs. But a pop fly and a strikeout had the Hammerheads looking at the possibility of failing to take advantage of the opportunity, especially with Fortenberry stepping to the plate in just his second game since signing with the team.
Of course, by that time, Jupiter had a 5-0 lead with starter Brad Hand having the game, well, in hand. In his best effort of the season, the lefty allowed just two singles in six innings. And while the team combined for their second consecutive shutout, Hand had a personal back-to-back of his own; as he did in his previous start, he struck out seven batters while allowing just one walk.
Relievers Andy Loomis, Isaac Morales and Corey Madden made sure Hand's start held up, with Loomis and Madden each tossing perfect innings.
The Hammerheads have now won four of their last five and will look to take the series from Brevard County tomorrow night at Roger Dean Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.