WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team dropped both games of a Saturday doubleheader to the American International Yellow Jackets. The Sailfish fell 7-3 in game one and 8-4 in game two. Both games were played as seven inning games.
The Sailfish look to tie the series on Sunday at noon for the fourth and final meeting this weekend with the Yellow Jackets.
GAME ONE
On the mound, Derek Langfelder made his first appearance on the mound this season after recovering from injury and had a standout performance for the 'Fish. Langfelder threw three solid innings without giving up an earned run and striking out six, all swinging. He threw 50 total pitches in the start.
In the first inning, Jake McNamara got things started with a single, and after a wild pitch, Finley Holmes capitalized with an RBI single. The fourth inning saw Kody Kelly double and later score on another wild pitch, keeping the game within reach. The 'Fish made one last push in the seventh. Giancarlo Chantres, hit by a pitch, and Alex Jacobs' infield single loaded the bases, but the inning ended with Ian Pennington's groundout, leaving three runners stranded.
The turning point came in the fifth inning when American International pulled away with a three-run surge. Cole Patterson's single and a clutch two-RBI double from Josh Frometa widened the gap, putting the 'Fish in a tough spot.
Zachary Orloff took over in relief, pitching 2 2/3 innings with 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 strikeouts. Gavin Ingram made his second appearance of the season, allowing 3 earned runs in just one inning. Ethan Byrd made a quick appearance, getting an out on two pitches without conceding a hit or run. Aidan McKee issued two walks and allowed an unearned run without recording an out.
Offensively, Kody Kelly made an impact with a double and a run in his three plate appearances. Jake McNamara continued his hot streak with two hits in four at-bats, advancing runners twice in scoring positions. Giancarlo Chantres reached base twice and scored a run.
GAME TWO
The second half of the double header was proof of just how interesting the game of baseball is. The Yellow Jackets had just one hit in the game and took down the Sailfish 8-4. It was a tough game for the Sailfish on the mound and in the field. The Sailfish had four errors, 11 walks, three wild pitches and two hit by pitches.
Nolan Larson got the start for PBA, pitching 2 innings without a hit but surrendering 4 runs, 2 earned, while striking out 3 and walking 3. Chip Hoornstra stepped in for relief, ssuing 3 walks in just a third of an inning. A.J. Prendergast brought some steadiness, throwing 2 1/3 innings with only 1 hit allowed and no earned runs, thanks in part to a double play. He also had a big strikeout to end an inning and keep the game tied. Christian Alonso offered 1 1/3 innings of hitless relief, though he walked 2 and hit a batter.
Andrew Fernandez made his mark with a home run, chalking up an RBI and scoring a run. This outing was a milestone for Fernandez, setting a season high with 1 hit and 1 run batted in for the first time. Patrick Rakes added two hits and drove in a run, while Finley Holmes chipped in with a double, totaling two hits and an RBI.
