Knights maintain composure after losing lead, secure first win of the season vs Buccaneers

The West Palm Beach Knights were able to secure their first win of the season over the Boynton Beach Buccaneers 9–7. Leading as much as 7–1, the Knights squandered a 6-run lead, and the Buccaneers seemed to have momentum on their side as the game was heading into the final stages. But a huge 2-run homer in the of the bottom 8th from infielder Zachary Malone held of the rally and the Knights held onto the lead to close out the Buccaneers.

Unlike Opening Day where it took the Knights five innings to get on the board, the bats were active early. As the Knights took a 1–0 lead after a sacrificed fly from outfielder Marco Bellantoni, Dominik Ramil recorded an RBI triple to push the lead to 3–0 going into the 3rd inning. Ramil continues to have a strong start to the season as he recorded an RBI last game.

The Knights were also able to capitalize off of errors made by the Buccaneers. after a low pitch from Danny Rosenfield, Buccaneers catcher Cam Macdonald attempted to throw to second base to get a runner out, but the ball sailed away and it allowed pitcher Andrew Eppinger to run home and secure a 4–0 lead headed into the 4th. Ramil also added an RBI single in the 4th inning to add to the Knights lead and make the score 5–1.

Pain tolerance was also a factor, as the Knights were hit by six pitches in the game. But they were rewarded, as the pitches put multiple runners in scoring position, and even loaded the bases. Eppinger took a hit on a change-up pitch from Aidan Cardenas it lead to the Knights taking a 6–1 lead. The following at bat from Tyler Cox was a walk, and the Knights had their biggest lead of the game at 7–1 as the 5th inning approached.

Errors led to the Knights digging themselves in a hole last game, and similar mistakes let the Buccaneers back into the ball game. A wild pitch from Tyler Ramage scored a run to make cut the deficit to 7–2, and an RBI double from Michael Dupont made the score 7–3, continuing to give the Buccaneers momentum.

The 8th inning became a nightmare for the Knights, as two pitches from Payton McIntosh hit two Buccaneers players, loading the bases. The next batter was walked, and then an RBI double from AJ Orrico turned a blowout into a one score game. Will Farrar was then subbed in to close the inning, but another wild pitch tied the game at 7. The lead was almost taken, but a leaping grab from second baseman Tommy Easley ended a disastrous inning and kept the game even.

Losing a lead that big can demoralize a team and can cause the game to get away, but the coaching staff continued to motivate the team to finish strong. “We just got to keep telling them [the players] ‘hey let’s just stay in the game, let’s get behind one another and we’ll fight all the way back,’ ” Assistant coach Ryan Powers said postgame when asked about the message sent after the blown lead.

And the Knights responded in big-time fashion. With outfielder Zachary Malone at the plate with two outs, he smashes a two-run shot to give the Knights the lead back and keep for the remainder of the game. That marked the first home run of the season, and it came at the most crucial time. The Buccaneers were then held scoreless in the 9th as Hunter Kloke came as the reliever to seal the deal for The Knights throwing two strikes in the inning.

Up next is a re-scheduled showdown with the Delray Beach Lightning at Little Fenway park on Friday at 10:00 AM after the first game was canceled due to rain.