WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader with the Lynn Fighting Knights. The Sailfish took game two 10-3 after dropping a 12-inning thriller in game one.
The Sailfish return to the field on Tuesday when they take on Rollins in a midweek matchup. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at the Jake.
GAME ONE
In a tense 12-inning contest, the Fighting Knights claimed victory with a key sequence in the final frame. With two outs, a single to shallow left by Jason Lashley drove in the go-ahead run from second base, a decisive play that proved insurmountable for the Sailfish.
PBA had its pivotal moments, especially in the ninth inning when Brandon Castellon delivered a clutch two-RBI single through the left side, tying the game at three and extending the match. Earlier, Finley Holmes sparked the offense with an RBI double down the left field line in the seventh, bringing the 'Fish level. However, opportunities to seize the lead were missed, as runners were stranded in scoring position during crucial at-bats.
The Sailfish's final chance in the 12th was extinguished by a strong defensive effort from Lynn, as PBA went down in order. Despite the efforts of Castellon and Holmes, the 'Fish fell just short in a hard-fought battle.
Nolan Larson delivered a strong performance for PBA, pitching 4 innings with just 2 hits and no runs allowed, while striking out 2 and issuing 1 walk. Nolan Smoot contributed 2 innings, allowing 3 hits but no earned runs, maintaining pressure on Lynn's offense. Aidan McKee pitched 3 innings, conceding 2 runs, 1 of which was earned, with 3 walks and 1 strikeout. Jack Mischke made a brief appearance, facing only one batter, giving up a walk and a hit-by-pitch in his 1/3 inning.
Brandon Castellon contributed two RBIs, leading the offense for the 'Fish. Finley Holmes added to the scoring with one RBI, one hit, and one run. Patrick Rakes reached base twice with two walks and scored once, adding depth to the team's offensive efforts.
GAME TWO
PBA took control in the fourth inning, scoring three times to break a 1-1 tie. A leadoff single by Finley Holmes set the stage, followed by a single from Carter Parent that moved Holmes to third. Aaron Vetter then doubled, driving in Holmes, and Santi Scheele's two-run double extended the lead, putting the Sailfish ahead 4-1.
In the sixth inning, Palm Beach Atlantic capitalized on its momentum to widen the gap. Scheele doubled to start the inning, and a bunt single by Andrew Fernandez moved him to third. Trey Miranda delivered a crucial two-run double, scoring both runners. Parent added an RBI single, driving in Miranda to make it 7-1.
Despite a two-run response from Lynn in the seventh, Palm Beach Atlantic maintained pressure. Kody Kelly led off with a double, setting up Fernandez's RBI single. A hit-by-pitch to Patrick Rakes with the bases loaded brought in another run, and Parent's second RBI single of the day capped the rally, cementing a commanding lead.
Elijah Budiac pitched 7 innings, allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 3 batters and walking 3. Lucas Chantres made a strong relief appearance, throwing 1 1/3 innings without giving up a hit and striking out 3, though he did issue 3 walks. Christian Alonso closed out the game by pitching 2/3 of an inning, recording 1 strikeout and allowing no hits or runs. Overall, the Sailfish pitching staff held the Fighting Knights scoreless over the final two innings.
Carter Parent contributed significantly with three hits and two RBIs, while also stealing a base. Miranda excelled on the base paths, successfully stealing two bases, and added two RBIs with three hits. Vetter provided solid offense, collecting two hits, one of which was a double, and driving in one run. Fernandez scored twice and tallied a stolen base, rounding out a strong performance.
