Daytona Tortugas Eliminated in Sweep by Jupiter Hammerheads

The Daytona Tortugas were eliminated from the Florida State League playoffs on Thursday, losing 13-2 to the Jupiter Hammerheads. They suffered a series sweep in the FSL East Division Series. Coming into Thursday’s game the Tortugas had their backs against the wall following a 6-1 loss in Game 1. The common theme in each loss was a failure by the Tortugas to convert with runners in scoring position. 22-year-old Tortugas starter Tyner Horn lasted just three innings in Game 2, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and a walk. Those two runs came on a home run by Hammerheads first baseman Echedry Vargas in the second inning. Reliever Ryjeteri Merite surrendered an additional three runs in two innings of relief, leaving the Tortugas within striking distance at 5-2. An eight-run onslaught in the seventh and eighth innings against Justin Henschel which the Tortugas failed to answer placed the game out of reach. The Tortugas’ first run was driven in via a solo home run from Arnaldo Lantigua in the first. Adolfo Sanchez drove in the second run with a fifth-inning double. Thursday’s loss is a disappointing end to the team’s third straight playoff appearance and fifth since adopting the Tortugas identity in 2015. Their 2026 season saw the team’s first ever FSL second-half championship.