With a stadium full of Police officers, the Sanford River Rats still got away with stealing a game from the Orlando Snappers. A First Responders night to remember in an 8-0 shutout that sent everyone home before the sun went down.

THE GAME

Ryland Bozenhard took the mound and got the game started with a perfect strike, foreshadowing what was to come. He led off with a strikeout on the All-Star Game MVP Rashad Robinson, followed by producing a ‘K’ against Home Run Derby runner-up Matthew Farner. Gustavson followed in the footsteps of his predecessors and struck out swinging, making it 3 strikeouts to end the top of the 1st. 

Habitually, the River Rats strike first. Stewart Puckett hit a hard ground ball that popped out of the 2nd baseman's glove, leading the way for Braden Calise to score. Puckett was then scored on an Anthony Ruocco Sac-fly that made the score 2-0 in the bottom half of the first. 

Bozenhard continued to deal well into the game. Pitching four innings and striking out six, only allowing 2 hits and one walk. 

“I'm working with Coach [Nick] Goody. He’s really dialed me in.

The whole Mechanic,” Bozenhard said. 

Daniel Spicher hit an RBI single to center, scoring a run. Meanwhile, Manny Santana followed with a Double to left, scoring him. The bats were captivating, dragging out innings and working through the pitcher, and making the pitch count go up just as quickly as the hit count. Drake Harman also found the left corner, earning himself a double and scoring a run. The University of Tampa product has found a great home in the lineup for the Sanford squad, being at the right place at the right time to score runs. 

THE STORY

The defense was also once again under the spotlight, as the Knight Braden Calise continued to show his Gold Glove skills. Daniel Spicher also made a great leaping play at 2nd base that robbed the Orlando Snappers of their first run. 

That is not the only robbery that happened, either. Dawson Mock stole two more bags, putting him within one stolen base of tying the league single-season record for stolen bases. This comes just a day after he won the Home Run Derby. He's become a very appealing MVP Candidate for the 2025 season on what has already been a historic run for the Sanford River Rats.

The River Rats set their sights on taking the series tomorrow night in Orlando at 6:30, and all eyes are on the Cheddar chasers as they gain more ground towards the number one seed.

Christian Bussiere, Daytona State

Taryn Friend, UF