Knights lose in walk off fashion against Blazers
West Palm Beach held a 3–0 lead going into the sixth inning, but the Boca Raton Blazers (3–7) were able to rally and stun the Knights (3–5) in the tenth with an game winning RBI from catcher Cayden Shaver and claimed victory by a score of 4–3.
The first score of the game came courtesy of an Andrew Eppinger single, and before the ball was hit, Andres Paret made a head start to third base, and was able to run home for the first run of the game.
The second inning remained scoreless, but West Palm was able to add to the lead in the third. Paret continued his activity on the bases, as he ran to steal second base, and an error from pitcher Brenden Katz on the pickoff attempt got away from second base and Paret made his way to third base. Extra hitter Tyler Cox then recorded an RBI single to score Paret as he recorded his team leading sixth run of the season.
West Palm Beach then scored their third and final run of the game in the following inning. With two outs to start the fourth, in the following at bats Luke Shannahan was able to advance to first on a walk and Juhlien Gonzalez hit a single to put Shannahan in scoring position. Shortstop Franklin Carney then hit a fly ball to right field, and the Blazers were unable to secure an out as Shannahan advanced home.
Boca Raton began to chip away in the bottom sixth, starting with a pass ball that was able to score centerfielder Emilio Portes. Errors allowed Portes to score as he advanced to third after a wild throw to second attempting to steal the base. And a pass ball in the next at bat allowed the Blazers to get on the board. Boca Raton then added a run in the seventh with a single from Billy Wurch. Jack Clarke who advanced to first before Wurch’s at bat after being hit by a pitch, advanced to second, then ran to homeplate as the play could not be made quick enough.
As the game approached the bottom of the ninth with the score at 3–2, West Palm had a chance to close the game and avoid extra innings. But with a full count, first baseman Manuel Souffrian hit a solo home run, his first of the season, to even the game at four and push the game to the tenth.
West Palm has shown to respond after losing a lead as they did against the Boynton Beach Buccaneers, but the Knights weren’t able to punch back, and Boca Raton carried the momentum into the bottom tenth. The comeback was then topped off with an RBI from Cayden Shaver.
Pitching:
Hunter Kloke has usually been inserted late in the game, but he earned the start today for West Palm Beach, pitching two innings with three strikeouts. Gavin Adams started for the Blazers, also pitching two innings and threw two strikeouts. Frank Weirman, who replaced Kloke, finished with a game high nine strikeouts in five innings. Tyler Cirone pitched in the final four innings, and was given the win as he threw a team high seven strikeouts. As for the Knights, Jacob Odle picked up the loss playing 1.1 innings as the teams reliefer.
Up next:
West Palm Beach will continue their stint on the road with a double header against the Florida Pokers (1–6). Game one will begin at 11:30 AM, and game two will be at 1:30 PM.