DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- The Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team dropped both games of a doubleheader on Friday to the Embry-Riddle Eagles. The teams played a Friday doubleheader due to expected inclement weather in the area on Saturday afternoon.
The Sailfish and Eagles conclude the series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for noon.
GAME ONE
Embry-Riddle took control in the third inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch and timely hitting to break a scoreless tie. Cole Bullen tripled down the right-field line, driving in Francisco Feliciano, followed by an RBI single from Aidan Corn. Corn later scored on another wild pitch, rounding out a three-run inning that set the tone for the game.
The Sailfish had opportunities to respond early, with Trey Miranda and Jake McNamara contributing singles in the first inning, placing runners in scoring positions. However, the lineup was unable to drive them in, as subsequent batters were retired without further advancement. In the sixth inning, Patrick Rakes doubled but was left stranded following a double play. Despite multiple chances, including a late rally in the ninth with singles from Finley Holmes and Brandon Castellon, the team could not convert, leaving runners on base.
Defensively, the 'Fish managed to limit further damage from Embry-Riddle with a double play in the sixth inning, but the consistent offensive threats from the home team, including another two-run inning in the fourth, proved too much to overcome.
Jared Murray pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 hits, 5 earned runs, and 3 walks, while striking out 6 batters. He threw 105 pitches with 63 strikes and gave up one home run. Christian Alonso followed with 3 innings of relief, surrendering 3 hits, 2 earned runs, and 1 walk, alongside 2 strikeouts. Alonso also allowed one home run and hit a batter, throwing 58 pitches with 32 strikes.
GAME TWO
Embry-Riddle secured the victory with a pivotal eighth inning, adding four insurance runs to stretch its lead. A series of walks loaded the bases for Embry-Riddle, and subsequent free passes and a key RBI single widened the margin, leaving the Sailfish unable to recover.
Palm Beach Atlantic mounted a promising comeback in the middle innings. Jake McNamara sparked the offense with a single and later scored on a double from Patrick Rakes in the third inning. Finley Holmes contributed with a sacrifice fly in the fourth, and McNamara once again crossed home plate following his own steal and subsequent sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Despite these efforts, the Sailfish's rally fell short. The team managed to load the bases in the eighth inning, but only scored one run off McNamara's RBI single. In the ninth, Santi Scheele doubled in a run, but the team left three runners stranded, sealing the outcome.
Nolan Larson pitched 3 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 5 hits while striking out 5 batters and walking 4. Zachary Orloff followed with 2 innings of relief, giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits and recording 1 strikeout. Lucas Chantres contributed 1 2/3 innings, surrendering 1 run on 2 hits and issuing 4 walks. Chip Hoornstra struggled in his 2/3 inning, allowing 4 earned runs on 1 hit and 4 walks. A.J. Prendergast faced challenges, walking 2 batters without recording an out, and Andrew Fernandez closed the game with 2/3 inning, allowing no runs and striking out 1.
