ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A six-run first inning for the Eckerd baseball team wasn't enough as Palm Beach Atlantic responded with ten straight runs to route the Tritons 10-7 as they concluded play in the Rollins College tournament Sunday morning at Alfond Stadium.
Mitch Donofrio led the Tritons, going 4-for-5 with a tied for career-high five RBIs with a grand slam in the first inning and a solo shot in the ninth.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Palm Beach Atlantic 10, Eckerd 7
WP: Frankie Fernandez (1-1)
LP: Collin Bakken (0-1)
GS: Mitch Donofrio (1)
HR: Donofrio (5)
Records: Eckerd (8-10); Palm Beach Atlantic (9-8)
KEY MOMENTS
- The Tritons jumped out early in the first inning, loading the bases on a single and two walks. Santos Grande worked a walk to plate Chase Achuff and put the first run on the board. Donofrio followed with a grand slam crushed to left field to give the Tritons a 5-0 lead in the first inning. Mikey Burke then reached base after being hit by a pitch and stole second base to move into scoring position. With one out, Gunner Womer singled to left field, scoring Burke.
- Palm Beach Atlantic responded in the bottom of the first with a single to right field, followed by an RBI double sent to center field.
- In the second inning, the Sailfish continued to tack on runs with two runs scoring on two bases-loaded walks. PBA had back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game 6-6. With one out in the inning, the Sailfish picked up another RBI single to take a one-run lead.
- Palm Beach Atlantic added a run in each the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings with another run walked in, an RBI double down the left-field line, and a one-out sacrifice fly to centerfield that plated the Sailfish's tenth run.
- In the top of the ninth, Donofrio led the inning off by working a full count and sending a pitch deep to left-center field for his second homer of the day and the Tritons' seventh run.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Donofrio went 4-for-5 on the day, tying his career-high five RBIs. He finished the Rollins College Tournament going 13-for-17 with 11 RBIs.
- Donofrio's grand slam in the first inning was the first of his career. He belted four homeruns in the past two days. His two homeruns today mark his second multi-homerun game.
- Grande and Womer each added an RBI as well.
- Burke and Donofrio each stole a base against the Sailfish.
- Tim Mira roped his fourth double of the season.
UP NEXT
The Tritons return home for a matchup with Northwood at 6:00 PM at the Turley Athletic Complex.