Jupiter jumps over Daytona, 7-1

JUPITER, Fla. — 1B Garrett Wolforth picked up a season-high-matching three hits and drove in a run, but Jupiter scored seven-straight tallies from the bottom of the first on, as the Hammerheads bested the Daytona Tortugas, 7-1, on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

For the third-straight game, Daytona (55-56) jumped out to an early lead. With the bases empty and two out, DH José Torres (1-4, R, SO) singled to right and 3B Rece Hinds (2-4) followed with an infield knock. On the first pitch he saw, Wolforth (3-4, RBI, SO) poked a grounder back through the middle for a hit. Torres scored to put the Tortugas ahead 1-0.

Jupiter (59-50) had an immediate answer in the home half of the inning. 3B Cody Morissette (1-3, 2 R, 2 BB, SO) singled with one out and advanced to third on a knock by CF Osiris Johnson (2-5, 2 R). RF Victor Mesa Jr. (2-4, 3 RBI) followed by looping a fly ball that dunked into shallow center for a base hit, scoring Morissette, to tie the game at one.

After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bags, DH Tanner Allen (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) hit a soft ground ball to short. The Tortugas managed to get the force at second, but the relay to first was not in time to register the double play. Allen was credited with an RBI fielder's choice to put the Hammerheads up one, 2-1.

It stayed that way until Jupiter's offense perked back up after a pitching change in the top of the fifth. Morisette earned a leadoff walk and advanced to third on another single from Johnson. After the latter advanced to second on a throwing error, Mesa Jr. dug in with second and third and one out.

On a 1-1 delivery, the 20-year-old stung a ground ball past the Daytona infield that was playing in to cut off the run at the plate. Both runners came into score on the one-base knock to stretch Jupiter's lead to three, 4-1.

In the eighth, the Hammerheads put the game on ice. With one out, Allen hit a laser that snuck over the right-field fence for a solo home run. The 2021 fourth-round pick's second professional long ball extended the Marlins' affiliate's lead to 5-1.

1B Marcus Chiu (1-3, BB, 2 SO) trailed the homer with a single to right and, after a fielder's choice erased him at second, C Sam Praytor (1-3, R, 2B, BB, 2 SO) extended the rally with a walk. SS José Salas (2-5, RBI) drove in another tally with a hit to center, while a wild pitch brought in another to grant the Hammerheads a 7-1 edge.

RHP Chris Mokma (6.0 IP, 6 H, R, ER, 4 SO) put together one of his best starts of the season for Jupiter. The 20-year-old scattered six hits over 6.0 one-hit innings en route to his second victory of the season.

It was a tough-luck loss for the 'Tugas RHP Miguel Medrano (4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 3 SO). The San Pedro de Macorís, D.R. native battled through 4.0 frames but suffered his second defeat of the campaign.

Daytona will attempt to even the series on Friday evening. RHP Sam Benschoter (NR) – an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State University — is expected to make his Tortugas debut after being transferred to the roster on Thursday. Jupiter is scheduled to counter with the Marlins' seventh-round selection from this July's draft, RHP Gabe Bierman (0-0, 2.61). Coverage on the Tortugas Radio Network will begin on the MiLB First Pitch app and www.daytonatortugas.com at 6:15 p.m. leading up to the 6:30 p.m. first pitch from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

ABOUT THE DAYTONA TORTUGAS
The Daytona Tortugas are the Low-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds and a member of Minor League Baseball’s Low-A Southeast. The Tortugas play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in downtown Daytona Beach. Jackie Robinson Ballpark also plays host to Bethune-Cookman University, the Jackie Robinson Ballpark Museum, and many community events and initiatives of all sizes throughout the year.