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In another awe-inducing offensive performance, the River Rats sweep the Deland Suns to clinch the first spot in the FCSL Championship. The game was full of excitement that the box score doesn't show, and it fed into an already exciting game.

THE GAME

The River Rats jumped onto the board early with a sac-fly from Stewart Puckett. Puckett has had a very nice postseason defensively as well, settling into 3rd base comfortably. The River Rats continued the scoring streak, hitting the Suns again in the 2nd inning with a sac-fly from Cameron King. 

However, it was the fourth inning that rocketed the Rats to the win and ousted the Suns from their Championship bid. As the 4th ticked on, it was clear the Rats were going to be quick to hit again. It took a hit by pitch from Trey Babbitt to get the first base runner moving for Sanford. Another walk went into the books after Manny Santana watched four straight pitches for balls.

When Braden Calise stepped into the box, he was looking to do damage. After being the hero in game one the previous night, he was looking to keep the spotlight on him. He ripped the cover off the ball, sending it into center field, and brought the run around 3rd, but an aggressive green light from head coach Jesse Litsch sent Babbitt around 3rd base right behind him. This forced a throw from the center fielder, Michael O'Brien, who sailed it high and hit the backstop. This gave an opening for Dawson Mock, who was sending it home with the afterburners firing. He scored by sliding around the glove of Valente, making it a 3 RBI double for Calise. The fourth and final run of the Inning came when Stewart Puckett made contact and put a ball in the corner of Melching Field at the 320’ mark, Scoring Calise. 

It was a symphony of offense, with strong coordination from top to bottom, resulting in 10 runs and multiple players reaching via walks. 

Austin Waring started the game for Sanford, giving the offense some room to breathe and striking out 3. In 3 innings, he let up 4 hits and 2 runs, and although he battled some command issues, he was able to close out the Suns with his powerful velocity that provided big whiffs from opposing hitters.  When the rats found trouble, they went to Jonny Sosknowski, who put on an incredible 5-strikeout performance. It was 2.1 innings of dominance, 1 hit, and no runs were on the slash line when his night was done, giving the rats a great bridge to the end of the game and fueling their victory. 

THE STORY

The Sanford River Rats are 2 wins away from closing out a spectacular season, but it won't come easy. The Leesburg Lighting and the Orlando Snappers are dueling it out tonight at 7 pm, and both teams have given the Rats a run for their money. As they fight for the final spot in the FCSL Championship, the Sanford River Rats put the finishing touches on a masterpiece.

Christian Bussiere, Daytona State

Photo By Taryn Friend, UF