Hammerheads Drop 3-1 Decision

JUPITER, Fla. - The Jupiter Hammerheads dropped their second straight contest to the Palm Beach Cardinals by a score of 3-1 at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday night. Jupiter once again scored first but could not hang on to claim the victory.

Jupiter (0-2, 35-37 overall) was able to strike first with a run in the first inning, but it was the only offensive production the Hammerheads saw all night. Just as on Thursday night, Yefri Perez started the action with a single to begin the inning. Rehabbing Miami Marlin Don Kelly was also able to record a single to advance Perez to third. Austin Dean then collected Jupiter's only RBI of the night with a sacrifice fly to left field to make it 1-0.

The Hammerheads would hold their 1-0 lead through four full innings, but in the fifth Palm Beach (2-0, 34-38) figured out Jupiter starting pitcher Jarlin Garcia. The inning started with a double by Casey Turgeon and a sacrifice bunt by Robelys Reyes to put the tying run at third. Brett Wiley then tied the game with a RBI-single to right field that plated Turgeon. Luke Voit added a second consecutive single as Wiley would advance to third to put Cardinals on the corners. Wiley would then be able to cross the plate on a ground out to first by David Washington. The ground out gave the Cardinals a 2-1 advantage as well as moved Voit to third. The final run came to pass on a single up the middle by Carson Kelly to make it 3-1.

Both teams would be held scoreless for the rest of the evening thanks to solid pitching performances all around. Trey Nielsen (8-4) earned the win for Palm Beach after tossing seven-innings of one-run baseball and allowing just six hits with three strikeouts. Silfredo Garcia earned the save by allowing just two hits with two strikeouts in two innings of relief work. The Cardinals did not yield a walk in the contest.

For Jupiter, Jarlin Garcia (2-3) took the loss. Garcia allowed three earned runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of work. Matt Milroy threw 2 1/3 innings in relief, giving up just two hits while fanning three Cardinals. Tyler Higgins also received two innings of work tonight and gave up just one hit with one strikeout.

Perez led the Hammerheads offensively going 2 for 4 with a run scored in the loss. Kelly and Chris Hoo also chipped in with two hits each for Jupiter, while Palm Beach was led by Derek Gibson who finished the night 3 for 4 at the plate.

The Jupiter Hammerheads will now travel to Lakeland for a four-game set with the Flying Tigers. Jupiter will not return to Roger Dean Stadium until July 4 when it welcomes the Bradenton Marauders to town for Mega Bash. First pitch has been scheduled for 6:05 p.m. with fireworks set to begin after the game. To purchase tickets, please call (561) 630-1828 or visit RogerDeanStadium.com. Also follow the Jupiter Hammerheads on Facebook and Twitter (@GoHammerheads) for updates and news around the ballpark.