Palm Bay had lost three straight, but after bumping their record up to 13-10 on Saturday that streak is in the rearview. They won by a run and slipped past the Space Coast Vipers 13-12. Give some credit to the fans of both teams: the last five times they've met, the home team has come away the winner.
Nolan Werle
| 02/09/26 @ Cocoa | 2 |
| 03/19/26 @ Brevard HEAT | 1 |
| 02/26/26 vs Calvary Chapel Academy | 1 |
Keiran Cummings and Nolan Werle were major factors no matter where they played. On the mound, Cummings tossed 2.1 innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off four hits. Meanwhile, Werle tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Palm Bay is 5-1 when he allows at most two earned runs, but 8-9 otherwise. At bat, Cummings went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI, while Werle went 1-for-4 with two runs.
In other batting news, Palm Bay let Jose Rivera and Timothy Owens run wild. Rivera went 2-for-3 with two runs and one triple, while Owens got on base in three of his four plate appearances with two RBI, one run, and one double. Rivera is becoming a predictor of Palm Bay's success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 8-10 when he doesn't). Another player making a difference was Dakoda Doyle, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI.
Palm Bay always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .553. They are a perfect 9-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
As for Space Coast, they have been struggling recently as they've lost seven of their last eight games. That's put a noticeable dent in their 8-11 record this season. Despite running the score up even higher than they did in their prior game on Friday (ten), they still had to take the loss.
On Space Coast's side, Jaxon Wise stepped up to lead a balanced group of hitters: he went 2-for-3 with two runs and one stolen base. Matthew Constantino was another key player, going 3-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
Palm Bay and Space Coast are set to take part in some playoff action in their next matches. The Pirates will square off against Rockledge at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. As for Space Coast, they will challenge Titusville at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
