Mustangs Break Through: Merritt Island Powers Past Space Coast for First Win of 2026
Cocoa, FL | The breakthrough moment has arrived for Merritt Island High School.
In the Four One Sports Game of the Day, the Merritt Island Varsity Mustangs captured their first win of the 2026 season in an offensive showcase, defeating Space Coast Junior/Senior High School 14-10 in a high-energy battle Friday Night.
Now in their third game of the season, the Mustangs showed resilience, firepower, and the ability to finish — all trademarks of a program led by Head Coach Jason Palmer.
Photo by Andi Wofford Photography
First-Inning Fireworks Set the Tone
Merritt Island wasted no time igniting the offense.
Senior Zoey Allen crushed a double to bring home three runs, immediately shifting momentum. Junior Mady Hardin followed with an RBI double of her own, and Junior Gianna Elliott added an RBI single to cap a five-run first inning that stunned the home crowd.
The Mustangs kept building in the second when a groundout by Aleena Walker pushed the lead to 6-1. By the third inning, they extended the advantage to 8-1 after capitalizing on a defensive miscue by Space Coast.
It was relentless pressure from top to bottom.
Freshman Kinsley Knoebel ; Photo by Andi Wofford Photography
Offensive Depth on Full Display
Merritt Island piled up 15 hits in the win, showcasing depth throughout the lineup.
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Presley LoPorto and Kinsley Knoebel each collected three hits.
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Zoey Allen and Presley LoPorto drove in three runs apiece.
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Elena Rollen, Gianna Elliott, and Mady Hardin delivered multiple-hit performances.
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The Mustangs worked six walks and stole four bases.
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Defensively, they turned a key double play to halt momentum.
This was not just timely hitting — it was complete offensive execution.
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Strong Work in the Circle
Senior Rindi Amos delivered a strong performance to start the game, allowing just one run on four hits across 4.1 innings while striking out six and walking none. Sophomore Olivia Smith came on in relief to help close it out.
Space Coast made a late push in the sixth inning, scoring seven runs to tighten the contest. RBI contributions from Muniz, Torquato, and others made things interesting, but Merritt Island’s early cushion proved too much to overcome.
Momentum Builder for the Mustangs
After dropping their first two contests, this third-game victory carries weight. It shows growth. It shows belief. It shows a team beginning to find its rhythm under Coach Palmer’s leadership.
A 14-run performance, 15 hits, aggressive base running, and clutch pitching — that’s the kind of complete effort that can spark a season.
Merritt Island now turns its focus to Monday’s home matchup against Cornerstone Charter Academy as they look to build momentum.
If Friday’s performance is any sign, the Mustangs are heating up at the right time.
Meet the Author, Ricky Bumgardner Jr
