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The Winter Garden Squeeze split Saturday’s doubleheader against the DeLand Suns winning game one 13-4 and losing the second 11-3. Both games ended early due to mercy rule

 

In game one, it was all Winter Garden as they came out and put up seven in the home half of the first. A nice response after notching just two hits in the ball game Friday night.

 

The seven-run first saw every man in the lineup come up to the dish and the leadoff hitter, Brody Pezza (Florida SouthWestern), twice. Through three hitters, DeLand recorded two outs and looked to take a 1-0 nothing lead into the second. However, the Squeeze had the next seven hitters reach base in the inning.

 

Dominick Bello (Anderson University) brought in a pair with a single to right after Zach Stokes (West Florida) brought in the first run for the Squeeze. Mees Robberse (Allen County CC) drove in the next RBI with a single to center right before Cole Resetar (Pace University) delivered the big blow with a bases clearing double to cap the inning.

 

Winter Garden plated two more runs in the third courtesy of a two-run double off the bat of Robberse, before putting four up in the fourth. Garrett Rusch (Allen County CC) brought in a run on his pinch-hit single. Titan Kamaka (Florida State) scored on a wild pitch one batter before Cole Steinmetz (Valdosta State) punched a single into the outfield to bring in another. Robberse would draw a four-pitch walk to plate the 13th run of the game for Winter Garden.

 

To say Micah Takac (Mercer) had plenty of insurance was an understatement. The right-hander grabbed the win in the game going four innings allowing two earned and striking out one. Takac’s ERA now sits at an even 2.00 on the short campaign.

 

In game two, the roles flipped and DeLand started hot with a four-run first. The Suns loaded the bases with one away and the Winter Garden infield committed back-to-back errors to give DeLand their first two runs. Ryan Robinson (St. Leo) grounded into a fielder’s choice which brought in one more and passed ball from the backstop let Judson Ceyanes (Kaskaskia CC) come in to score.

 

The Squeeze responded back in the home half of the first with two runs of their own. Once again with two away, Ben Maskin (Erskine) burnt the center fielder with a double that a one hopped the fence and brought around Todd Clay (UAB) from first. Tripp Landers (Florida SouthWestern) followed with a single in the 3-4 hole to bring in Maskin.

 

The fifth inning is where the Squeeze allowed this one to escape from them, giving up a five-run inning to the Suns. DeLand hit around the lineup, recording five hits and two walks in the frame. DeLand did all the damage with no outs in the inning.

 

Three outs away from getting mercy ruled, Garrett Bryd (Valdosta State) extended the game by launching a solo shot to left on a breaking ball. It was Bryd's first home run of the season and second RBI. The rising junior is now hitting .400 with three extra-base hits.

 

Nolan Maroth (Tennessee Club) was the starter for Winter Garden and was tagged with the loss. The right-hander threw four innings and was responsible for two of the five runs that scored during his outing.

 

After an off day Sunday, The Squeeze will head to Winter Park to take on the Diamond Dawgs before hosting them at West Orange high school Tuesday. First pitch at Alfond Stadium is set for 6 pm EST.

 

Riley Kelton (Auburn University)