News

Winter Garden, Fla. - It was a tale of two completely different games for the DeLand Suns (5-3) as they took on the Winter Garden Squeeze (4-4) in a Friday night doubleheader.

The Suns lost game one by a final score of 13-4. The Suns' offense would score first thanks to a leadoff double by Carter White (Undecided), followed by an Andrew Ezell single (Stetson), driving in White. Ezell and Damion Kenealy (Lipscomb) tried to turn their singles into doubles but got thrown out at second by two really good throws from Tanner Reid and Isaac Stanwick. Not only did this stop the Suns' momentum right in its tracks, but the Squeeze would bounce right back, scoring seven runs in the first inning, which was too costly for the Suns to return.

The Suns' second game was a complete turnaround, with the team scoring 11 runs on 12 hits. Coach Jurgens praised the resilience of his team, saying, "Anytime you lose a game like that, it feels really good to see your team regroup and show what they're capable of." The Suns' offense was on fire, with two-hit performances from Carter White, Judson Ceyanes (Kaskaskia College), Matt Farner (Rollins College), Ryan Robinson (St. Leo), and Damion Kenealy (Lipscomb University).

The pitching staff for the Suns was also lights out. After allowing two runs in the first inning to the Squeeze, starter Sam Monk (Colorado School Of Mines) settled in and did a phenomenal job keeping this high-powered Squeeze offense in check. Stephen Cherepanya (Rollins College) came in out of the bullpen and did a great job, not allowing any hits and striking out three. "Coming into today, we needed to leave the day with a win. With it being a doubleheader in the Florida heat and the off day tomorrow, it was very important on our end to do so," said coach Jergens postgame.

Next up: The Suns will travel to Sanford Memorial Stadium to face the Sanford River Rats on Monday, June 10th. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. 

Dylan Stanley (Dordt University)