Baseball / River Rats and Snappers put on Home Run Derby

River Rats and Snappers put on Home Run Derby

Date:  Source: Florida Collegiate Summer League


An overcast evening was lit up by an explosive offensive showing between the Orlando Snappers and the Sanford River Rats. Both teams put their hands in the pot and crushed home runs in what was ultimately a 14-8 win for the River Rats, with the potential to be a cinematic matchup come playoff time. 

THE GAME

In the first inning, it was clear that the River Rats were going to be aggressive. After back-to-back outs from the Rats, Stewart Puckett only needed one pitch to make magic happen. As the bat cracked, it was clear that the ball was not going to come back. He smashed a baseball 380 feet into the forest that surrounds Orel Hershiser Field. 

Gehrig Graham got the nod to start the first game of what was a planned doubleheader. In his first inning, he allowed one hit and a walk, but was able to get out of the inning quite swiftly. His performance showcased his usual velocity, which sits in the low to mid-80s. 

In the 2nd inning, both teams' hitters continued to step on the gas. 

The River Rats were the first to hit big. Anthony Saleeba scored Ruocco on a 6-3 putout to extend the lead. This was followed by a massive two-run single by Manny Santana to right fielder Fields, scoring both Daniel Spicher and Cameron King. King reached base on a single to the shortstop. In what became a nightmarish series of events for Snappers' pitching, Dawson Mock added to his hit totals, hitting an RBI single into center that scored Santana. It was now Bases loaded, and who else to keep the party going than the one who started it, Stewart Puckett. He crushed a ball to center that caught the gap and cleared the bases, a 3 RBI extra base hit and a 4 RBI night across the board. 

Although the score was in the Rats' favor, the Snapper had their chance to show power. Hayden Gustavson and William Walburn were able to sneak one over the fence for home runs. The Snappers lead the league in home runs, and it is no secret that this has been a key ingredient to their winning formula. 

It was Braden Calise to be the next Home run hitter, roping a ball over the right field wall. The UCF Knight helped the Rats “Charge On” with the three-run blast and broke the game wide open once more. Anthony Saleeba turned on the jets and tallied a triple, scoring Spicher and later being scored by Santana on a single to center. Manny Santana has continued to improve this season, with 3 Hits and 4 RBI this past week. 

THE STORY

Although the rain got the best of game 2, the season still progresses to its final days. Dawson Mock has a wide open road to continue his single-season stolen base record, as he sets himself up for a potential 40-stolen-base season. The River Rats have also officially clinched the number one seed in the FCSL Playoffs, as they put the finishing touches on a masterpiece of a season. They face Leesburg at home Wednesday at 6:30.

Christian Bussiere, Daytona State

Photo by Taryn Friend, UF