sfoggi posted on July 05, 2011 21:35
SANFORD, Fla. (July 5, 2011) – The Sanford River Rats fell 6-0 to the DeLand Suns at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium Tuesday night. It was the first time in the 2011 season the Rats failed to score in a game.
DeLand (12-11) starter Austin Jackson (Florida Southern) was dominant in his seven innings of work, striking out six while issuing one walk. Jackson did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, and allowed just one more after that.
“Obviously Austin Jackson threw a heck of a ballgame,” River Rats Head Coach Stephen Piercefield said. “It’s going to happen every once in a while throughout the summer. What we have to continue to concentrate on is our approach and not stray from that and stay aggressive. We sometimes have a tendency to do more than what’s called for in a certain situation and not focusing on the here and now.”
Suns second baseman JT Warmoth (Embry-Riddle) had three hits and scored three runs. Warmoth got things going for DeLand in the first with a solo home run over the left field wall. Aaron Silbar (Columbia University) singled and crossed home on a Warmoth single in the third.
The Suns added a third run in the sixth after a Casey Mulholland (Ole Miss) groundout advanced Kevin Lindheim (Stetson) home from third. One inning later, Warmoth took a walk, then stole second before a Lindheim single sent him home. Brandon Turner (Bethune Cookman) sent Lindheim home with a single, and the Rats faced a 5-0 deficit.
Warmoth scored the last run of the game in the ninth after doubling. A Bryan Adametz (Palm Beach State) single plated Warmoth for the final score.
Sanford (8-13-1) starter Ray Hanson (UCF) was effective in his six innings of work, striking out five and limiting DeLand to three runs. Hanson was also involved in a 1-6-3 double play in the second, stranding a runner.
Ultimately, Piercefield was pleased with what he saw from his team and did not foresee major changes.
“To make changes to what we’re trying to do doesn’t make much sense because guys have been giving a great effort and doing everything that’s been asked of them,” he said. “You can tell when the guys come off the field with all the dirt on them, they’re out there playing their hearts out.”
Sanford’s next game is a home contest against the Leesburg Lightning (15-6) Thursday (July 7) night. Thursday’s game will also serve as “Bark in the Park Night” as fans are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends along to enjoy River Rats baseball.
Neil Tredray (Valencia College)