Snappers Pull Off 7-Inning Mercy Rule Victory on Opening Night
Orlando, Fl. - The Orlando Snappers (1-0) began the season on a positive note after a mercy rule victory over the Winter Garden Squeeze (0-1) to open up the 2025 campaign.
The Snappers got the scoring started in the second inning with 5 unanswered runs.
The recent high school graduate, Julian Mercado, (Stetson) knocked a double with a runner at first in his first Florida League at bat.
Jax Carter (Rollins College) followed him with a 2-RBI single to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.
With two away in the inning, Rashad Robinson (Jacksonville State University) introduced himself to the Snappers faithful with an RBI triple showcasing his wheels and power.
Returner, Hayden Gustavson, (State College of Florida) capped off a great inning scoring Mathew Farner (Northwest Florida State College) and giving Terry Abbott's squad a 5-0 cushion after 2 innings.
Orlando continued their slug fest in the third with Jax Carter and Daniel Irizarry (University of Montevallo) recording RBIs to put their team just one run shy of mercy rule territory.
After 3 scoreless innings, that magic run came across. With 1 away and William Walburn (Jacksonville State University) just 90 feet away from being the final run of the game, Julian Mercado delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to left field and sealed the deal with an 8-0 win in the first game of the season.
Coby Vallee got the start in the mound for Orlando allowing just 2 hits and 1 walk in four innings of work while retiring 6 via the K.
Kyle Powers (Jacksonville University) came off the bullpen to replace the right-hander and went two innings deep allowing two hits, two walks, and picking up one strikeout.
Connor Mulready (Rollins College) was the final pitcher for the home team and had no issues getting through the top of the seventh inning.
The Snappers will hit the road on Saturday, May 31st, for a rematch against the Winter Garden Squeeze in game 2 of the series.
First pitch is set for 7:00pm from Horizon West High School in Winter Garden, Fl.
#SnappsUp
Esteban Velez (University of Missouri)
