Seesaw Baseball

[DAYTONA BEACH, FL] With huge playoff positioning implications to be determined by this three game series, game one saw a back and forth affair be decided in extra innings. The Hammerheads won the game on a RBI single by Daron Roberts in the ninth inning, and took the game, 5-4.

Jupiter starter Sean West walked himself into trouble in the second inning. He walked Marquez Smith and Yusuf Carter. After an error by first baseman Logan Morrison on a throw over, both runners advanced. Ryan Harvey came up and knocked in the game’s first run.

Greg Burns ripped a solo homer off James Russell in the top of the third and the Hammerheads struck back to tie the ballgame at 1-1. Give Russell credit. After the homer, he settled in and retired the next two batters to get out of the inning with minimal damage.

The Cubs snatched the lead again in the fourth. Carter doubled to begin the inning. Harvey and Jonathan Mota both made outs, but Darwin Barney made sure Carter’s double did not go to waste. Barney blooped an RBI single to put the Cubs back on top, 2-1.

Once again, Jupiter bounced back in the top of the fifth inning. Russell followed West’s bad blueprint and walked the first two batters. Burns came through clutch again with an RBI single to tie the game. Smelin Perez scored on a wild pitch by reliever Jayson Ruhlman to give Jupiter its first lead, 3-2.

It took a little longer, but Daytona rallied to tie it in the seventh inning. Barney singled and was moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt. Two wild pitches allowed Barney to advance to third and then home. He scored to tie the game at 3-3.

The top of the thirteenth saw Cub reliever Dustin Sasser issued a walk to Kevin Randel. An error on Sasser advanced Randel to third base. Roberts drove him home with an RBI single. Roberts would score on a single by Bryan Petersen.

Daytona looked to rally back in the bottom of the thirteenth. Harvey drilled an RBI single to pull the Cubs within a run. Harvey was stranded at first base and the Cubs could not overcome the two run lead in extras, falling 5-4.

The Cubs continue their series against the Jupiter Hammerheads Sunday beginning at 5:35pm at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Catch the broadcast on 1380 WELE at 5:15pm or right here on www.daytonacubs.com. For ticket information call 386-257-3172 or visit www.daytonacubs.com.