sfoggi posted on June 26, 2011 16:09
WINTER PARK, Fla. (June 26, 2011) - The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs (11-3) won their third consecutive game as they defeated the DeLand Suns 6-2 at Alfond Stadium after a three-day layoff.
The Diamond Dawgs played their first game since Wednesday, June 22, and despite scratching out just four hits in the game, they emerged victorious. They had four different pitchers in the game, who combined to allow just two runs on seven hits, and three walks, while striking out seven.
“We took advantage of our opportunities,” said Head Coach Kevin Davidson.
DeLand struck first, as Brett Knief (Seminole State Community College) singled home Stephen Bellantoni (USC-Aiken) in the top of the first inning.
However, Winter Park scored five of their six runs in the bottom of the second inning, albeit in unusual fashion. None of their runs reached base or scored on a hit, as there were four walks and two hit batsmen in the inning.
The highlight of the game occurred after three runs had already scored in the half inning, as Ted Blackman (Coastal Carolina) pulled a page out of Jackie Robinson’s book and stole home. Davidson noticed Suns starting pitcher Eric Green was frustrated and not paying close attention to the runners on base, and then alerted Blackman.
“I saw him in his set, and I just took off,” said Blackman.
Defense was still the story for the Dawgs as they played a full game of error-free baseball.
Winter Park kept DeLand from scoring in the fourth inning, as Knief tried to score on a single by Brandon Turner (Bethune-Cookman), but was thrown out at the plate by center fielder Ryne Knuth (Polk State College) to end the inning.
Nonetheless, the Suns came within three runs in the fifth inning as J.T. Warmoth (Embry-Riddle) brought home Bellantoni on a single to center field.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Diamond Dawgs plated another run, making their lead 6-2. They then retired the Suns 1-2-3 in both the eighth and ninth innings.
Winter Park will be at home on Tuesday, June 28 at Alfond Stadium against the Sanford River Rats. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Mitchell Adams (UCF)