TAMPA, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team dropped both games of their doubleheader with the #2 Tampa Spartans on Saturday afternoon. The Sailfish were shutout in game one but kept things close in game two before the Spartans pulled away late.
The Sailfish return to the field on Tuesday for a midweek afternoon game against Lynn down in Boca Raton. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
GAME ONE
The Sailfish had early chances but couldn't capitalize. In the first inning, Carter Parent singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundout, but the threat ended with a fly out. Another opportunity arose in the fourth when Jake McNamara reached on an error and stole a base, but the inning ended with runners stranded. Despite Brandon Castellon's double in the fifth, the 'Fish couldn't break through Tampa's pitching.
PBA's best scoring chance faded in the eighth when Castellon singled but was left on base as the following batters couldn't bring him home. The Sailfish offense struggled to apply consistent pressure, unable to rally against Tampa's lead.
Elijah Budiac took the mound for the 'Fish, pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing nine earned runs on 13 hits, including two homers, while striking out three. He threw 102 pitches, 68 strikes, and had a groundout-to-flyout ratio of 8-4. Christian Alonso came in for 1 2/3 innings, issuing four walks, hitting three batters, and allowing two earned runs on one hit, but also striking out three. Jamie McMahon pitched one inning, giving up a hit and a walk without allowing any runs.
GAME TWO
The Sailfish came out swinging in the second inning, with Giancarlo Chantres ripping a bases-clearing double down the left field line to bring in three runs. Unfortunately, that was all the offense could muster, as Tampa's pitching proved too tough to crack for the rest of the game.
Tampa took control in the seventh inning, capitalizing on a Sailfish error that opened the floodgates. A pair of RBI singles and a productive groundout extended the Spartans' lead, putting the 'Fish in a tough spot.
Palm Beach Atlantic had a glimmer of hope in the sixth with Louis Paolillo's single advancing Patrick Rakes to third, but the rally was cut short, leaving both runners stranded.
On the mound, Derek Langfelder delivered 5 1/3 innings, giving up six hits and four earned runs while fanning five batters. He threw 95 pitches with 57 strikes. Jack Mischke followed with 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits, striking out one. Jared Murray pitched 1 2/3 innings, yielding two earned runs on two hits and issuing two walks, alongside four strikeouts. A.J. Prendergast faced three batters, letting in one earned run on one hit and a walk, with a wild pitch.
