Jupiter, Black Completes Comeback Against Cardinals

Trailing by two runs heading into their final at-bat, the Jupiter Hammerheads (42-38) rallied for three runs and walked-off with a 5-4 win Monday night against the Palm Beach Cardinals (36-43). Danny Black delivered the game-winner for the Hammerheads, as they have split the first two games of the series with Palm Beach.

Ryan Fisher and J.T. Realmuto singled off Cardinals' closer Dean Kiekhefer to start the bottom of the ninth. Noah Perio laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move both runners into scoring position. Taylor Krick followed with a line out to right field that wasn't able to advance the runners. With two outs, Dallas Poulk stroked a full-count pitch into the right-center field gap for a two-run single to tie the game. Poulk moved into second base as a result of the throw on the play. That set the stage for Black, who drilled a single to the same gap to drive in Poulk for the walk-off victory.

After three shutout innings for both teams, the Cardinals got on the board first with a run in the top of the fourth off Chad James. Jupiter would tie the game in the bottom half of the frame on a no-doubt blast off the bat of Christian Yelich.

Palm Beach went up 3-1 in the top of the fifth on a pair of unearned runs off James. It would be the final inning of work for James as he allowed three total runs (one earned) on five hits. He walked three and struck out five.

The Hammerheads cut into the lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Marcell Ozuna led off with a single and moved to second on a Yelich ground out. Mark Canha then singled and moved Ozuna to third base. He would come in to score on a wild pitch strikeout with Ryan Fisher at the plate to make the score 3-2.

Palm Beach went ahead 4-2 on an RBI-single by Rainel Rosario to score James Ramsey. Ramsey, the Cardinals #1 pick in this year's draft, went 3-for-5 on the night.

Cardinals' starter Scott Schneider received a no decision like James for Jupiter. Schneider went four innings and allowed just one run on three hits. Kiekhefer (2-2) was charged with the blown save and the loss for Palm Beach.

Michael Brady (2-3), who struck out two in the top of the ninth, was credited with the win thanks to Black's heroics.

The Hammerheads and Cardinals will play the third and final game of the series tomorrow night at 6:35 p.m. It is the first of a two-night Mega Bash event at Roger Dean Stadium.