Palm Beach Gardens Tops South Fork 3-1

Tanner Hurley went the distance and struck out 6.

Behind a complete game three hitter by Tanner Hurley, the Palm Beach Gardens Gators topped the South Fork Bulldogs Wednesday night 3-1. Hurley added six strikeouts and got some help from his offense to earn the victory for the Gators, moving their record to 15-7 on the year.

“Tanner Hurley did a great job tonight,” Gardens Manager Joe Russo said. “He had most of his pitches working and he worked ahead in the count which is what he has been doing for us all year.”

Hurley retired the first five batters of the night in order before allowing his first runner on base via a walk with one two out in the second inning. He didn’t allow a hit until the third which is also when the Bulldogs recorded their only run of the game when Dalton Deakins scored on a passed ball. Not only did Hurley go the distance, he did it in only 88 pitches.

“I felt good,” Hurley said. “I knew I had to throw strikes, hit my spots, and be able to throw my curveball for strikes and I had all my pitches working tonight.”

While Hurley was having his way with the South Fork batters at the plate, his offense was doing what they needed to do to give him the run support he needed for the win. Starting right off the bat, the Gators got two quick runs in the first inning off of an RBI triple by first baseman Pavin Smith and an RBI single by catcher JJ Schwarz.

“I knew that Sendle (Jean) had just stolen second and I just wanted to try and put a nice hard ball into play,” Smith said. “I got a fastball middle away and just tried to go with the pitch.”

John Resnik started the game for South Fork and pitched four innings.

Palm Beach Gardens would add another run in the sixth on an RBI single by Harley Sanicky for insurance, but the two runs scored in the first proved to be all the Gators needed on the night with Hurley’s performance on the mound.

“That’s what he’s been doing for us all year,” Russo said of Hurley. “He’s been our ace all year and tonight was a good opportunity to throw a midweek non district type game and he’s been pretty consistent all year.

Palm Beach Gardens will now look ahead to what should be a very special game Friday afternoon for the players. Not only are they playing Seminole Ridge in a big district match-up, they get to do it at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, spring training home to both the Miami Marlins and Palm Beach Cardinals.

“We are fortunate enough to be able to do it almost every year,” Russo said. “It’s the kind of environment you are going to have to win in come the playoffs. It’s a great honor and a great experience for the kids, especially a day game like that. It will be a good test for us.”

The Gators will pitch Smith on Friday against the Hawks and he knows that he will have to be on his game if he and the rest of the Gators want to get the victory.

“I need to get ahead and stay with my plan on the mound and do the best I can do,” Smith said.

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