JUPITER, Fla. — Arnaldo Lantigua homered as part of a three-hit night, but the Jupiter Hammerheads hit five home runs and pulled away from the Daytona Tortugas for a 13-2 victory Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, completing a two-game sweep of the Florida State League East Division Series.
The loss brings Daytona’s 2026 season to a close after the Tortugas captured the FSL East second-half championship to reach the postseason for the third consecutive year. Jupiter advances to face the Tampa Tarpons in the Florida State League Championship Series.
The Rundown
Daytona struck first against Jupiter starter Manuel Genao. After the first two batters were retired in the opening inning, Lantigua launched a 1-2 pitch over the left-field wall for his first home run of the postseason and a 1-0 Tortugas lead.
Tyner Horn held the advantage through two innings before Jupiter moved in front in the third. Jake McCutcheon drew a one-out walk and advanced on a wild pitch before Echedry Vargas connected for a two-run home run down the left-field line, giving the Hammerheads a 2-1 lead.
Jupiter added three runs against Ryjeteri Merite in the fourth. Eric Guevara led off the inning with a solo home run before Josh Hogue singled and Andres Valor walked. Carlos Sanchez then doubled home both runners to stretch the Hammerheads' lead to 5-1.
Daytona answered in the fifth. Drew Davies walked and moved to second on a passed ball before Adolfo Sanchez ripped an RBI double down the left-field line, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Merite responded by striking out the side in the bottom of the fifth, but Jupiter broke the game open over the next two frames. Luis Arana doubled in the sixth before Valor hit a two-run homer off Justin Henschel to make it 7-2.
The Hammerheads then erupted for six runs in the seventh. Jacob Lombard hit a two-run homer, Arana added an RBI single and Valor followed with his second home run of the night, a three-run shot that extended Jupiter's lead to 13-2.
Bryan Salgado entered and retired all five batters he faced, striking out two over 1.2 perfect innings to finish the night for Daytona.
Lantigua singled in the eighth to complete a 3-for-4 performance with a home run, double and RBI, but the Tortugas were held scoreless over the final four innings as their season came to an end.
Stat of the Game
5 — Jupiter hit five home runs, tying the most allowed by Daytona in a game this season. The Tortugas also surrendered five home runs twice during their final regular-season series against Palm Beach.
Notes
• Daytona was swept 2-0 by Jupiter in the best-of-three FSL East Division Series, ending the Tortugas' 2026 season.
• The Tortugas reached the postseason for the third consecutive season and the fifth time in franchise history after winning the FSL East second-half championship.
• Lantigua went 3-for-4 with a home run, double and RBI, accounting for three of Daytona's seven hits and seven of its 12 total bases.
• Sanchez drove in Daytona's other run with an RBI double in the fifth.
• Jupiter hit five home runs, tying the most surrendered by Daytona in a game this season.
• Valor hit two home runs and drove in five, while Vargas, Guevara and Lombard also went deep for Jupiter.
• Salgado retired all five batters he faced over 1.2 perfect innings with two strikeouts.
• Daytona pitching allowed 13 runs on 12 hits while Jupiter finished 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
• The Tortugas struck out 14 times and finished 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Up Next
Daytona's 2026 season is complete. The Tortugas will open the 2027 season on Friday, April 2, 2027 against the St. Lucie Mets at Clover Park. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.