SANFORD, Fla.- Winter Park closed the regular season on a positive note, as the Dawgs split a doubleheader on Saturday night against the Sanford River Rats. The Dawgs tied the season record for most wins in a season (30) and set the record for highest winning percentage in a season (.811)

Game One:

Winter Park fell behind early as Sanford struck for two runs in the third and three in the fourth, to take an early 5-0 lead.

The Dawgs closed the gap in the top of the fifth inning, pushing across two runs. Adarius Myers (La Tech) singled home Coleson Hebble (Swarthmore), while Jack Matero (Manhattanville) crossed home on a throwing error to make it a 5-2 game.

Sanford extended their lead in the seventh with a two-run homerun to take a commanding 7-2 lead.

In his return to the team, third baseman Luis Lamarche (Savannah State) blasted a ball over the left-field wall for a solo homerun to make it a 7-3 finish.

Box Score

Game Two:

With seedings clinched and the win record unattainable, it might have seemed that Winter Park had nothing to play for. However, the Dawgs did not want to backpedal into the playoffs.

“We needed this big-time”, Jason Fointno (West Georgia) said, “We haven’t been as sharp this week, so I think everyone needed to close this out with a win.”

The Dawgs jumped out to a lead quickly, scoring all five runs in the top of the second inning. Gerardo Miranda (North Alabama) hit a bases-clearing double to bring home three runs. Luke Reidy (Rollins), then doubled into left field and a throwing error allowed both Myers and Miranda to score.

Sanford would then score four unanswered runs to make things very interesting heading into the final inning. After uncharacteristically giving up two home runs in the bottom of the sixth, closer Brian Carruyo shut the door on the Rats for his league-leading ninth save of the year.

Winter Park closed the season with an impressive 30-7 record. The Dawgs will find out their first round-opponent after Monday night’s play in game featuring Leesburg and Seminole County. No matter who it is, the Dawgs will host game one at 7:00 PM on Tuesday night.

Box Score

Bryce Koon