Palmetto is 2-8 against Columbus since April of 2015 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Palmetto Panthers will challenge the Columbus Explorers at 6:00 p.m. Palmetto will be strutting in after a win while Columbus will be coming in after a loss.
Palmetto had to skate by with only a two-run margin when they last took the field, which might have inspired the seven-run drubbing they dealt Dr. Krop on Thursday. Palmetto was the clear victors by a 13-6 margin over Dr. Krop. That looming 13-6 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Panthers yet this season.
Maxim Sotolongo tossed a big game, pitching five innings while giving up just two earned (and four unearned) runs off eight hits. He has been nothing but reliable on the mound: he hasn't given up more than one walk in three consecutive appearances.
Sebastian Hernandez
| 03/06/25 vs Dr. Krop | 2 |
| 02/18/25 vs Columbus | 1 |
| 03/25/24 vs Deltona | 1 |
| 02/29/24 vs Coral Gables | 1 |
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Sebastian Hernandez, who scored three runs and stole Two bases. while going 2-for-3. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in stolen bases. Jack Gordon was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while getting on base in two of his four plate appearances.
Palmetto always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .556. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Dr. Krop only posted an OBP of .269.
Meanwhile, Columbus entered their game against JC Bermudez Doral on Monday without any home losses, but there's a first time for everything. Columbus fell just short of JC Bermudez Doral by a score of 4-2. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Explorers have suffered since March 27, 2024.
Mathew Rios was a force to be reckoned with on the mound despite the final result: he struck out nine batters over 6.2 innings while giving up four earned runs off five hits.
At the plate, Columbus saw five different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Rene Ramirez, who went 2-for-3 with one double. Aquiles Arzeno also deserves some recognition as he hit his first double of the season.
Columbus suffered their first home loss, dropping their record down to 9-2. As for Palmetto, their record now sits at 3-7.
Palmetto suffered a grim 10-0 defeat to Columbus in their previous matchup back in February. Can Palmetto avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
