WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team began its 2025 campaign on Friday night against Delta State.
At a packed J.M. "Jake" Rubin Park, the 'Fish had a chance for some late-game magic. Trailing 6-5,
Trey Miranda started the bottom of the ninth with a single up the middle. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, a flyout followed by a strike out where Miranda got caught stealing second ended the game. Delta State held off PBA for the 6-5 win.
The Sailfish started their half of the first with a pair of base hits but came up empty after a double play killed the rally. The Statesman almost got on the board in the second inning after a walk and hit batter to start the frame.
Nolan Smoot earned a pair of strikeouts, followed by a heads-up play from
Jake McNamara, throwing a runner out at home after an error.
Delta State struck first with a pair of runs on three hits, including an RBI double in the third inning. A Statesman double and a single through the left side set up a sacrifice fly to right field to make it a 3-0 game through four innings.
The Sailfish offense broke through in the bottom of the fifth.
Aaron Vetter reached on an error and advanced to second before moving to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Miranda singled to center field, getting the 'Fish on the board, 3-1.
Matthew Faranda kept the rally going with a single up the middle.
Ben Green drove in Miranda with a single to left field.
Kody Kelly gave the 'Fish a lead with a double to right-centerfield, driving in Franda and Green to give PBA a 4-3 lead.
The lead did not last after a hit batter, and a walk gave Delta State runners on first and second with no outs. A single through the right side scored one run to tie the game at four, but
Nick Feretic left the bases loaded, limiting the damage. In the seventh, with runners on first and second and two outs, Feretic forced a slow chopper to second base. It took an awkward hop, keeping Miranda from charging the ball and allowing the runner to beat the throw to first; a Delta State pinch-runner made it around from second on the play to make it 5-4.
Giancarlo Chantres started the bottom of the seventh with a double to leftfield landed just in front of the diving Statesmen. He scored on a throwing error by the DSU catcher, tying the game and giving the 'Fish a runner on third with no outs. Unfortunately for the 'Fish, Miranda was stranded on third to end the inning.
The visitors regained the lead in the eighth. A fielder's choice drove in the go-ahead run after a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases.
Steve Trone made his first appearance out of the bullpen for the 'Fish in the middle of the inning. He got the Sailfish out of the jam to keep it a one-run game.
McNamara singled to open the eighth and advanced to second on a sac bunt, but he was stranded after a strikeout and a groundout. Trone hung a zero in the ninth to give PBA a chance, but it fell short, 6-5.
Faranda and Green led the 'Fish with two hits and one run scored each. Kelly had two RBIs and a walk. PBA finished with nine hits as a team. Smoot started the game on the mound for PBA. He tossed four innings, giving up three runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Feretic made his Sailfish debut, pitching 3.2 innings of relief. He was charged with three runs on six hits with six walks and three strikeouts. Trone gave up one hit in 1.1 scoreless innings.
PBA looks to bounce back Saturday night against Wingate. The first pitch at J.M. "Jake Rubin Park is set for 6 p.m.
