Monstrous home run from Caden Marsters propels Knights to complete comeback against Pompano Beach
Facing a 3–0 deficit heading into the bottom eighth, The West Palm Beach Knights rallied with an electric inning highlighted by a humongous two-run homer from catcher Caden Marsters to defeated the Pompano Beach Clippers 4–3 and snap a two-game losing streak, moving back to .500 for the season and now have a 3–3 record.
Both starting pitchers dominated the game during their time on the mound. For West Palm, right hander Garrick Murray pitched six innings total and dominated while he was in the game. Murray finished with seven strikeouts and committed no errors. Continuing to be clean in that department will be crucial for West Palm as summer continues. And for the Clippers, Justin Rosner from Binghamton University threw six strikeouts while also having zero errors and allowing only two hits.
The defense and pitching played at a high level for the majority of the game, as key plays were made throughout. West Palm was able to react to the Pompano Beach’s attempts to steal bases, as at the top of the 5th, leftfielder Hector Candelas attempted to steal second base, but an amazing throw from Marsters to second baseman Sam Holtz was able to get Candelas out. A similar sequence occurred in the next inning, as Antonio Colon attempted to steal second base but was caught for a 2–6 out.
The script was then flipped, and both offenses caught life, as both teams combined for seven runs in the seventh and eighth inning. The Clippers began the inning with a double from Chase Loggins, and that was followed by an single from extra hitter Andrew Borque. West Palm seemed to calm the storm after a strikeout from Fletcher Reynolds, but an RBI single from Carmine Petosa scored Loggins and gave the Clippers the advantage. The momentum then continued to build as Bryce Pratt hit a double and recorded another RBI to double the lead to 2–0. Hector Candelas continued the consecutive runs for Pompano Beach with a sacrificed fly to bring home Petosa and take a 3–0 lead going into the bottom 8th.
West Palm’s offense was sparked by Dom Ramil, hitting an single early in the inning. Ramil continues his great season, being a player that has constantly ignited momentum for the Knights. Designated hitter Tommy Easley, who was subbed in the sixth, advanced to first on a single, putting Ramil in scoring position. John McIntosh then advanced to first on a fielder’s choice, and although the Clippers threw out Easley, Ramil was able to advance to third base. This ended up being pivotal, as John McIntosh went to steal second base, Pompano Beach catcher Diego Prieto threw a ball way over second base. McIntosh was able to steal second, and Ramil sprinted home for the Knights first score of the game.
Sam Holtz then brought West Palm within one after an RBI double to center field was too low for a catch to be made, scoring in McIntosh an now trailed 3–2. The highlight of the day then followed, as Caden Marsters smacked a home run into left field to complete the comeback for the Knights, who now lead 4–3 going into the top 9th.
Hunter Kloke was sent out as the reliever for the Knights. And after a single was allowed in the first at bat, Kloke slammed the door on any attempt of a comeback with three straight strikeouts to finish the game.
Kloke was credited with the save, while Alec Mendes, who pitched in the eighth and finished with a strikeout picked up the win. On the other end, Jordan Vickers was handed the loss, Vickers also pitched in the eighth inning.
Up next:
The Knights are back at it tomorrow as they travel to Joe Russo field to take on the Palm Beach Diamond Ducks. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM.