The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

LUCIUS Fox and Anfernee Seymour crossed paths in the minor leagues once again as they went head-to-head in Single A-Advanced play.

Fox's Charlotte Stone Crabs remain 4.5 games ahead of Seymour's Jupiter Hammerheads in the race for the Florida State League's second-half division winner and an automatic playoff berth.

The teams split the first two games of the series and the third was cancelled due to severe weather and minor stadium damage at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.

In game one, the Hammerheads scored a 10-4 win and both players hit 1-4 for their respective clubs from the leadoff spot in the lineup. Seymour added two runs and three RBI. In the first inning, Seymour grounded out to Fox at shortstop. His triple in the top half of the fourth inning with the bases loaded plated three runs for the Hammerheads as they took a commanding 6-1 lead in the fourth. They added another four runs in the seventh and the lead was never threatened. Fox flew out to Seymour in right field in the bottom of the third and hit safely on a ground ball in Seymour's direction in the bottom of the fifth.

In game two, Seymour finished 2-4 and scored one run, but Fox became the storyline with his second home run of the season en route to a 6-2 win for the Stone Crabs. Fox singled in his first at-bat, eventually scored on a sac fly and Charlotte took a 2-0 lead at the end of the first. Seymour would score the Hammerheads' only run of the third and pulled within one. Fox hit his second home run of the season in the top of the third to put his team ahead 3-1 and they plated an additional three runs in the eighth to close out the win.

The Hammerheads are currently second in the South division with an overall record of 52-45 while the Stone Crabs are third at 50-46.

The Stone Crabs lead the second half division standings at 16-13 while the Hammerheads are 11-17 in the second half. The Florida State League format provides that four teams will advance to the playoffs. Winners of both halves within the Division play each other in a best-of-three series for the Division Championship.

The Palm Beach Cardinals won the first half in the South while the Daytona Tortugas were the winners in the North.

The Division Champions will move on to the League Championship Series. This will be a best-of-five series with a 2-3 setup. The home field advantage alternates yearly between divisions.

Also in the Single A-Advanced play, Seymour returned from the seven-day disabled list with the Jupiter Hammerheads in the Florida State League.

Seymour hit leadoff and finished 3-5 with one home-run, one RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored. In the top of the third inning, Seymour homered on a line drive to right field and returned with a double to right field.

After being released by the Atlanta Braves (Florida Fire Frogs) on May 6, Seymour was signed by the Miami Marlins on May 10 and was subsequently assigned to the Jupiter Hammerheads.

Since the assignment to the Hammerheads, Seymour has hit .280 through 33 games with 11 RBI, 14 stolen bases, three home runs and scored 15 runs. He concluded last season with the Orlando Fire Frogs with his best month of the 2017 campaign.

Fox was named to the Florida State League's Southern Division All-Star Team. Last season, Fox was selected to represent the World team in the 2017 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game during MLB All-Star weekend and drove in an RBI in the loss to Team USA. The Futures Game showcases the minor league during the MLB All-Star week festivities.

Seymour and Fox previously went head-to-head in the South Atlantic League as members of the Rome Braves and Augusta Green Jackets respectively.