The Tampa Tarpons lost 9-1 to the Jupiter Hammerheads in Game One of the Florida State League Championship Series on Sunday, Sept. 13, at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The Tampa Tarpons now need back-to-back wins to claim the Florida State League Championship. The 9-1 result gave Jupiter the early series lead.
Justin West kept the game scoreless through five innings. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first with a full-count strikeout of PJ Morlando and a flyout from Jeremy Almonte. West finished with five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts against the Jupiter Hammerheads.
Jupiter broke the deadlock in the top of the seventh inning. A double and a Tampa Tarpons miscue helped the Hammerheads score twice. Tampa answered in the bottom half when Luis Escudero hit a 103.2-mph home run into the right-field bleachers, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Jupiter Hammerheads then scored seven runs in the eighth inning. Two RBI singles, a walk and a double extended the lead to 9-1. The Tampa Tarpons could not rally again, and the 9-1 score held as the final.
Tampa Tarpons Need Two Wins to Claim Championship
The Tampa Tarpons must win back-to-back games to claim the Florida State League Championship. Game Two is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The series will continue in Jupiter after the opener in Tampa.
Source: Original report