Box Score

SANFORD, Fla. - Despite getting ahead early, the Winter Garden Squeeze (4-21-1) fell to the Sanford River Rats (15-13), 5-3, at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium Thursday night.

Peter Weil (North Georgia) got the start for the Squeeze, and he continued his string of solid performances, retiring the first 12 batters he faced. Winter Garden backed him up offensively through the first four innings, striking first in the top of the third inning. After Ethan Brant (West Georgia) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, Dalton Shuffield (Texas State) doubled to set up runners at second and third with nobody out. Justin Holmes (Seminole State) delivered with an RBI single to get the Squeeze on the board. Then, Bobby Head (Austin Peay) followed by reaching on a fielders’ choice to increase the lead to 2-0.

Bryce Jackson (Clarion) added another run in the top of the fourth, leading off the inning with a solo home run. Rollin Layton (Undecided) then settled in and retired the next three batters in order to end the inning, as well as six of his last seven batters faced to conclude his quality outing.

The fifth inning saw the River Rats take their first and only lead of the game on the heels of three singles in the inning, and Humberto Torres (FIU) delivered a three-run home run to give Sanford the lead for good. Torres also drove in Azim Nobles (Seminole State) on a sacrifice fly to give the River Rats an important insurance run in the seventh inning.

Winter Garden did not respond as the bats went cold as after Jackson’s home run. Sanford’s pitchers retired 18 of the last 23 batters faced, with Jackson recording the only hit over the final five innings. The combination of Nick Cummings (Undecided), Logan Frasier (SCFMS), and Jarrod Cande (FSC) threw three no-hit innings to seal the 5-3 win for Sanford. 

Despite the loss on the mound, Weil finished with 5.2 strong innings, striking out five and only walking two, while Jackson finished the night 2-4 at the plate with a home run and a double.

“The positives are that Weil pitched a good game, Jackson hit a home run, and Shuffield continues to swing a good bat,” Coach Terry Abbott said postgame.

The Squeeze will look to bounce back Thursday, July 12, in a rematch against the River Rats at Lake Minneola High School. First pitch is set for 7:00. For live updates, follow the Squeeze on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Meridix.

Logan Whaley (Union Univ.)