Jupiter, Fla. – Opportunities were available but not capitalized on as Lynn University's baseball team fell 5-2 to Palm Beach Atlantic at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday night.  Kamm Washington and Jason Matusik combined to go 4-for-8 with two runs batted in.  The Fighting Knights drop to 2-2 overall.

 

Palm Beach Atlantic (4-1) had defensive troubles from the outset, committing an error on the first play of the game to allow Mike Gonzalez to reach base.  Unfortunately, the Blue & White grounded into the first of three double plays with the bases loaded,

 

The Sailfish started the second by allowing Kamm Washington to reach on a three-base error off a routine fly ball over the left fielder's head.  Matusik added to his team-leading RBI total with a shot down the left field line.

 

Kentrail Pierce (0-1) cruised through three innings of work, striking out the side in the third, before a two-run fourth gave PBA a 2-1 advantage.  Gonzalez made a valiant attempt with a diving play in right field but Karl Kapinos trotted into second with a stand-up double.  Two batters later, Matt Perkowski doubled to score Kapinos.  AJ Steimel then added a sacrifice fly to give the Sailfish the lead.

 

Pierce would not finish the fifth as Kyle Butcher relieved his teammate with one out and the bases loaded. Butcher, though, conceded three runs before Peter Graffeo was able to end the inning with LU trailing 5-1.

 

The Fighting Knights looked to make a ninth inning rally after Sal Giardina, Jr., smacked a one-out double down the left field line.  Cory Elasik followed with a pinch-hit single and Washington cut the deficit to three, 5-2, with his second hit of the day.  LU fans jumped to their feet with two outs after the ball roared off the bat of Enrique Perez but Kapinos made the catch at the wall to end the game.

 

Lynn closes out its three-game series against Palm Beach Atlantic with a noon double-header on Saturday, February 9.  Fans can catch the action live at LynnFightingKnights.com and receive in-game updates by following @LUKnights on Twitter and Instagram.