Week 1 Recap: June 1-3
The 2018 Florida League season opened with a quick two-game set last week. The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs are the only team to remain perfect, after taking two from the Sanford River Rats. The other four teams split their series one game apiece.
Opening night in Winter Park saw an extra-inning contest end on a walk-off walk for the Diamond Dawgs as they took game one by a score of 5-4 in ten innings. The following night in Sanford, the Dawgs were once again victorious, hanging on for a 2-1 win over the reigning champion River Rats. The Dawgs' pitching staff has been phenomenal, carrying a team ERA of 2.37 and a team WHIP of 0.84. Bubba Sangster (St. Johns River) has been the offensive spark for the Rats, hitting a home run in each of the two games played so far. His pace of 45 home runs on the season would set a new league record (currently nine).
The DeLand-Leesburg matchup was a treat for people who love high scoring affairs. The two teams combined for 28 runs on Friday night, with the Suns taking the W, 17-11. Suns leadoff man Nick DeTringo (Tampa) led the charge, collecting four hits and driving in eight runs, helped by a fifth inning grand slam. The Lightning were able to bounce back and grab a 4-2 extra-inning win over the Suns on Saturday night. Wes Weeks (UNF) powered the Leesburg offense with a triple and a home run in the two games.
The Winter Garden Squeeze snagged their first win of the season on the road Friday against the Seminole County Scorpions. A pitcher's duel between the two teams led to extra innings with the score tied at one apiece. In the extra frame, the Squeeze were able to add four to their ledger, highlighted by a two-run double from Jonathan Elicier (Newberry) to make the final score 5-1. Seminole County came back swinging on Saturday, earning a road win of their own, 9-4. Leadoff man Trace Thornal (Valdosta State) reached base safely four times in the game to lead the Scorpions, who recorded twelve hits in the game.
Player of the Week
Nick DeTringo, Tampa
DeLand Suns
4-9, 1 R, 2B, HR, 8 RBI
Pitcher of the Week
Jake Christa, Northeast Mississippi
Winter Park Diamond Dawgs
3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K
Monday June 4
6 pm: Leesburg at Winter Garden
7 pm: Winter Park at Seminole County
Tuesday June 5
7 pm: DeLand at Sanford
7 pm: Seminole County at Winter Park
7 pm: DeLand at Leesburg
Wednesday June 6
7 pm: Sanford at Winter Park
7 pm: Winter Garden at Seminole County
7 pm: DeLand at Leesburg
Thursday June 7
7 pm: Seminole County at Sanford
7 pm: Leesburg at Winter Park
7 pm: Winter Garden at DeLand
Friday June 8
6 pm: DeLand at Winter Garden
7 pm: Sanford at Seminole County
7 pm: Winter Park at Leesburg
Saturday June 9
7 pm: Leesburg at Winter Park
7 pm: Winter Garden at DeLand
7 pm: Seminole County at Sanford
Sunday June 10
5 pm: Sanford at DeLand
