TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Tarpons fell to the Jupiter Hammerheads, 9-1, in Game One of the Florida State League Championship Series on Sunday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Justin West worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first, using a full-count strikeout of PJ Morlando and a flyout from Jeremy Almonte to keep Jupiter off the scoreboard.
The left-hander settled in from there, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out seven Hammerheads to keep the game deadlocked at 0-0.
Jupiter finally broke through in the top of the seventh. A double and a Tarpons miscue opened the door for two runs to score, giving the Hammerheads their first lead of the afternoon.
Tampa answered in the bottom half of the inning when Luis Escudero launched a 103.2-mph laser into the right-field bleachers, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and bringing the Tarpons back within a run.
The Hammerheads, however, responded with a big inning in the eighth. A pair of RBI singles, a walk and a double helped Jupiter plate seven runs and extend its lead to 9-1.
The Tarpons were unable to mount another comeback, with the 9-1 score holding as the final.
Tampa will now head to Jupiter needing back-to-back wins to claim the Florida State League Championship. Game Two is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.