Sanford Slugs Way to a 9-3 Victory Over Orlando
SANFORD, Fla – Backed by home runs and cruise control pitching, the Sanford River Rats (17-9) got back to their winning ways with a 9-3 victory over the Orlando Snappers (11-15) on Monday night from Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium.
Sanford struck early in the first inning as following a Brayden Woodburn (Tampa) single to right, extending his hit-streak to five games, Matt Cedarburg (UCF) launched a baseball over the left field way for a two-run shot.
Into the second, Nathan Blasick (New Orleans) walked, following up with a Jaxon Goldberg (UCF) RBI double laced into right center. Later in the frame, Dylan Brazil (Embry-Riddle) hit a bloop single to center, scoring Goldberg to lead 4-0.
The power struck followed along into the third as Woodburn hit a rocket out into deep left center for his second home run of the year, increasing the River Rats lead to a five-run advantage.
Will Melby (UCF) got the ball in his third start of the year for Sanford and cruised along, throwing three scoreless frames on just hit allowed.
Orlando got on the scoreboard in the fifth on a solo home run to deep center for Joseph Charles (FSU) and an Adonis Forte II (Rockhurst) RBI double cut the deficit to three.
However, in the bottom of the fifth, Sanford answered with a three-run inning that was highlighted on a single to right from Jaiden Warde (Florida Southern) that plated two runs. Michael Sower (Thomas) added in with a sacrifice fly to bring around Cole Russo (UCF), making it 8-2.
The Snappers got a run back in the sixth on a solo shot off Michael Ballard (Louisiana Tech), while Sanford responded on a single from Brazil to score J’Quann Smith (FIU).
From the seventh to the ninth, River Rat lefties Zach Holcomb (Illinoi State) and Arturo Ormaza (St. Thomas) combined for three scoreless innings and four strikeouts, leading the way to a six-run victory.
Sanford totaled for a 11-hit night with Cedarburg, Woodburn, Warde, and Brazil all notching multi-hit efforts.
With the victory, the River Rats improve to 17-9, standing a half game back of the Leesburg Lighting.
Sanford will return to action on the road Tuesday night for another matchup with the Orlando Snappers. First pitch from Lake Highland Prep is slated for 7 p.m. and can be streamed on FloSports.
Jonathan Mayer (FIU)
