JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads beat the Daytona Tortugas by a final score of 13-2 in game two of the Florida State League East Division Round on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With this win, the Hammerheads punched their ticket to the Florida State League Championship Series against the Tampa Tarpons.
In the top of the first inning, the Tortugas scored the first run of the game against Jupiter starting pitcher Manuel Genao (W, 1-0) when Arnaldo Lantigua hit a solo home run to left field to put Daytona ahead 1-0.
The Hammerheads responded two innings later in the bottom of the third against Daytona starting pitcher Ty Horn (L, 0-1). After Jake McCutcheon drew a one-out walk, Echedry Vargas blasted a two-run home run to left field, his second of the playoffs and 29th home run overall this season, to give the Hammerheads a 2-1 lead after three innings. Vargas hit the home run at 113.2 miles per hour and 408 feet down the left field line for the lead.
After Genao shut down the Tortugas’ offense in the top of the fourth inning, the Hammerheads got back to work in the bottom of the frame. Horn was lifted from the game as Daytona brought in Ryjeteri Merite to pitch. Eric Guevara led off the frame with a solo home run, his first home run of the playoffs and third home run overall, to extend the Jupiter lead. Josh Hogue followed with a single and later Andres Valor drew a walk. With one out, Carlos Sanchez smacked a two-RBI double down the right field line to score two runs as the Hammerheads took a 5-1 lead after four innings.
Daytona immediately responded in the top of the fifth inning. Drew Davies led off with a walk and advanced on a passed ball. Two batters later, Adolfo Sanchez hit an opposite-field RBI double down the left field line to cut into the Jupiter lead at 5-2.
Genao finished his start with five innings pitched and allowed two runs, four hits, one walk, and struck out five batters.
Jupiter extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Luis Arana hit a one-out double, Valor blasted a two-run home run to left field to put the Hammerheads ahead 7-2.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Jacob Lombard hit a two-run home run to extend the Jupiter lead to 9-2. It was his second home run in the series.
They extended their lead when Arana hit an RBI single back up the middle. Valor came up next and blasted his second home run in as many at-bats to push the Hammerheads' lead to 13-2.
Morillo finished three shutout innings where he allowed three hits and struck out six Tortugas. Jonathan Rosario entered for the top of the ninth inning and struck out the side to secure a 13-2 Hammerheads win and their first trip to the FSL Championship Series since 2023.
The Hammerheads will face the Tampa Tarpons starting on Sunday, September 13th, before returning home for games two and three on September 15th and 16th.
The series shifts to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium for game two of this three-game series on Thursday, September 10 with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Click here to purchase your Jupiter Hammerheads tickets.
About Jupiter Stadium, LTD:
Opening in 1998, the 110-acre complex/stadium is specially designed to house two Major League and two Minor League Baseball Teams. The stadium is home to the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals for Spring Training. The Florida State League’s Jupiter Hammerheads (Class A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins) and Palm Beach Cardinals (Class A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) make their home at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium from April through September. Branded as “America’s Busiest Ballpark,” this year-round facility can accommodate everything from birthday parties to corporate outings to tournaments, while never forgetting that every fan is our most important priority.