Hammerheads Drop Home Opener
April 7, 2018 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Jupiter Hammerheads News Release
The Home Opener for the Hammerheads had anticipation on and off the field. Star Wars night and the debut of RHP Robert Dugger, who was acquired in the off season trade with the Seattle Mariners for INF Dee Gordan, were the two main focal points.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Hammerheads bats fired off back-to-back singles. Following was a Joe Dunand ground out that drove in Corey Bird. Jupiter lead 1-0.
Palm Beach would tie the game in the 2nd inning. Dugger would hold the Cardinals in check through the first five innings, but would run into some trouble in the 6th. A slider that caught too much of the plate was ripped for a triple. The next better, Chase Pinder, would then strike a two-run home run to give Palm Beach the 3-2 lead.
Jupiter would get a run back in the bottom half of the 7th, as Rodrigo Ayarza hit a two-bagger into the right-center gap. Bird would knock him in with a single of his own. Now 3-2 Cardinals lead.
After allowing an 8th inning run, Riley Mahan, who was added to the roster this morning, put a liner into the left field gap. Scoring on the play was Joe Dunand to edge within one run, again.
However, the Cardinals bats wouldn't go to sleep in the 9th, plating three runners to take a 7-3 commanding lead.
In the Hammerheads last at bat, they showed a legitimate threat with the bases loaded after three consecutive walks and only one out, but were unable to score as the final two batters of the game struck out.
Robert Dugger displayed great accuracy, tossing 55 strikes on 83 pitches in his debut. The right-handed pitcher threw for six innings, struck out four while surrendering three runs on five hits.
Center Fielder, Corey Bird, went 3-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
As a team, the Hammerheads tallied eight hits and four walks, but were just 2-12 with RISP and left 10 runners on base.
The Hammerheads (1-2) look to bounce back tomorrow for game 2 against the Palm Beach Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium before hitting the road for a seven game road trip to Clearwater and Dayton. First pitch is set for 1pm.
W- Mike O'Reilly (1-0)
L- Robert Dugger (0-1)
S- Jason Zgardowski (1)
• Discuss this story on the Florida State League message board...
Florida State League Stories from April 7, 2018
- Wagner Homers Again as Tampa Wins Home Opener, 2-0 - Tampa Tarpons
- Back-To-Back Jacks Lead Jays to Win - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Three Home Runs Powers Stone Crabs Past Miracle 8-4 - Charlotte Stone Crabs
- Gamboa, Lartigue Reach 3 Times in 6-1 Loss - Clearwater Threshers
- Reyes Homer Leads Marauders to 5-3 Win over Mets - St. Lucie Mets
- Palm Beach Holds off Late Jupiter Rally, Win Second Straight - Palm Beach Cardinals
- Tortugas Set New Record in Rain Shortened Win, 4-3 - Daytona Tortugas
- Hammerheads Drop Home Opener - Jupiter Hammerheads
- Cumberland Shines in Rain Shortened Home Opener - Florida Fire Frogs
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: April 7, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
- Flying Tigers Return Home Monday for Seven-Game Homestand - Lakeland Flying Tigers
- Long Balls Leave Blue Jays with Loss - Dunedin Blue Jays
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Jupiter Hammerheads Stories
- Hammerheads Allow Just One Hit in Sunday Win
- Jupiter Wins on a Walk-Off on Friday Night
- Hammerheads Score Season-High 11 Runs in 11-6 Victory Over Mets
- The Hammerheads Fall Late to Mets 4-1 Wednesday Night
- Jupiter Defeats St. Lucie 9-5 in Back-And-Forth Home Opener