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WINTER GARDEN, Fla.- The Winter Garden Squeeze defeated the DeLand Suns by a 5-2 score Tuesday night at West Orange High School.

The Suns got on the board with one run in each of the first two innings against Gaven Book (Santa Fe). Those two runs came on four hits, as the Suns came out swinging and it paid off. Their bats would then be silenced, not getting another hit until threre two outs in the ninth inning. Book settled in and threw six innings. His ERA now rests at 2.60 through five appearances and three starts.

Offensively for the Squeeze, they scored one in the first inning thanks to an RBI hit from Sonny Rao (USF). 

The Squeeze were held off the scoreboard until the fifth where they took the lead with two runs on three hits, one being a solo homer off the bat of Ryan Scarry (Marshall). It was Scarry’s first home run of the season and his second RBI.

Tyler Ostendorf (West Virginia Wesleyan) came into pitch the seventh and had his best outing of the year, setting the Suns down 1-2-3 on just ten pitches.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Squeeze were gifted two insurance runs on two walks, a hit-by-pitch and two wild pitches. 

Hylan Hall (Washington State) came into pitch the eighth and set the Suns down in order.

In the ninth, the Squeeze against turned to Andrew Lewis (East Mississippi) for the save.

Lewis came in and shut the door, collecting his fourth save in as many opportunities. Lewis is the clear-cut closer for the Squeeze and he’s more than earned that role, giving up just one run in 7.2 innings.

With the win, the Squeeze improve to 7-7 on the year ahead of their off day Wednesday.

They’ll return to action Thursday night to start a three-game home series against the Leesburg Lightning. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at West Orange High School.

Jason Hamby (UCF)