The Winter Garden Squeeze pushed across five runs in the third inning to propel them to a 6-3 victory over the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs Friday night, eliminating the Dawgs from playoff contention.

“This offense is something else,” said Ben Maskin. “If we were a NCAA division one team, we would take it all and beat Tennessee.”

Maskin started the scoring in the five-run inning, launching a line drive two-run home run to right-center field. It was Maskin’s second home run of the year, both which went to the opposite field.

“I got into a 2-0 count and I was just trying to let the ball get deep and see it for a long time,” said Maskin. “I got a cookie and put a good swing on it and It was just good to get the team rolling.”

After Maskins’s home run, the Squeeze rallied four straight hits, reaching a total of six-straight due to Maskin’s home run following Garrett Rusch’s double. Garret Byrd roped a single to right before Cole Resetar sent one off the right field wall for the inning's second two-bagger. John Smith III was able to bring in both runners with a two-RBI single after Resetar avoided the tag at home plate, giving Winter Garden a 4-2 lead.

Smith III was able to steal a bag before Titan Kamaka hit an infield single, moving Smith III to third. Todd Clay might not have extended the consecutive hit-streak in the inning, but he did give Winter Garden an extra run with a sac-fly to center field, ending the inning at 5-2 in favor of Winter Garden. 

Other than the third inning, the Squeeze offense was quiet throughout the night. The Squeeze sent up the minimum three hitters in every inning other than the third and the eighth. The Squeeze scored their final run in the eighth inning by Smith III bringing in Maskin on a single.

The Squeeze pitching staff held their own once again, limiting the Diamond Dawgs offense to three runs on six hits. Nick Rich got the start and gave up two runs on four hits in his three innings. Jacob Iverson picked up the win tossing three innings in relief, allowing two hits and a run with two strikeouts. Skylar Stinson and Mark Chapa each tossed one inning and allowed no hits before Todd Kniebbe recorded the save by striking out three hitters, ending the Diamond Dawgs chance of a playoff spot.

With the Diamond Dawgs out, Orlando will travel for a play-in game Monday night against the Saturday night’s loser between Sanford and DeLand. As it currently sits, the Squeeze are the two-seed and will host the winner of the Saturday night’s game between DeLand and Sanford. 

The Squeeze still have the potential to grab the top-seed if they sweep the Dawgs Saturday and receive help from Orlando by beating Leesburg. However, the Squeeze will have home-field advantage for the first round no matter the circumstance.

“It’s huge to be able to play in front of our loyal West Orange fans,” said Maskin. “It’s big to have this at home and to have the chance to win it all at home.”

The regular season finale against the Diamond Dawgs will be at Alfond Stadium in Winter Park. First pitch is set for 6pm EST. 

Riley Kelton (Auburn University)