Hammerheads Walk-Off 4-3 Over Mets

JUPITER, Fla. - The Jupiter Hammerheads walked-off on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium with a 4-3 victory over the St. Lucie Mets. Brian Anderson hit his second home run of the game to give Jupiter the edge in the bottom of the ninth.

Entering the game on Sunday, the Hammerheads (7-11) had yet to hit a home run at home. That quickly changed when the Mets (9-9) arrived for the 5:05 p.m. first pitch. Brian Anderson put Jupiter on the scoreboard quickly in the bottom of the first inning. J.T. Riddle and Austin Dean led the inning off with back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second as Anderson came to the plate. Anderson was then able to clear the bases with a three-run home run over the right field fence to put the Hammerheads up 3-0 in the first. The home run was Anderson's second on the season, Jupiter's eighth as a team and also their first at Roger Dean Stadium.

St. Lucie was held scoreless by Jupiter starting pitcher Jarlin Garcia until the fifth inning when they were able to manufacture one run. Victor Cruzado began the inning with a double then moved to third on a single by Amed Rosario. After a strikeout from Jhoan Urena, Colton Plaia placed a sacrifice fly in deep right field to allow Cruzado to score and cut the Jupiter lead to two runs.

Jupiter went down in order in the home half of the fifth then the Mets returned to the dish in the sixth and picked up where they left off by adding two more runs to knot the game at three. Jeff McNeil led off for the Mets with a single then Michael Conforto was able to tie the game with a two-run home run.

Both teams went silent in the seventh and eighth innings. Juancito Martinez entered the game to pitch in the ninth for Jupiter and was able to sit down the side with two strikeouts, one hit and a groundout to give the Hammerheads a shot at walking off in the bottom of the inning.

Dean flew out to left field quickly to begin the home half. Anderson then came to the plate and was able to get everything behind a 1-0 pitch to push it out of the park over the left-field wall. Anderson's home run was his second of the game and third of the year, as he was greeted with a Gatorade bath as he crossed the plate signifying the winning run.

All six Jupiter hits came from the top of the order as Riddle, Dean and Anderson each had two hits in the one, two and three spots in the lineup respectively. Four through nine in the lineup was held hitless. Anderson also finished with two runs scored and all four of Jupiter's RBI's. Garcia started on the mound for the Hammerheads and pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits (1 home run) and one walk while striking out three Mets. Juancito Martinez (2-0) earned the win for his scoreless ninth inning performance with two strikeouts and only allowing one hit.

With the victory, Jupiter ends a three-game losing streak picks up its third victory over St. Lucie in four games. The Mets and Hammerheads return to action at The Dean on Monday night with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Sean Townsley is slated as Jupiter's starting pitcher, while Robert Gsellman will get the nod for St. Lucie. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com.