sfoggi posted on July 10, 2011 19:54
ORLANDO (July 10, 2011) – The Winter Haven Loggerheads were unsuccessful in their trip to Orlando as they dropped a 4-2 decision in game one of Sunday’s doubleheader and suffered an 8-4 loss in game two at Orel Hershiser Field.
The Loggerheads (9-15) looked on from behind the entire way in game one, but were able to make a short-lived comeback. In the nightcap, Winter Haven was able to get on the board quick, but were unable to hold onto their lead as they allowed the Freedom to come from behind to take the win.
In the two games combined, reigning Florida League Player of the Week Justin Burgess (Montevallo), Drew Leonard (Millsaps), and Kyle Campbell (Stetson) each had two hits, a run scored, and an RBI.
It was a pitcher’s duel through much of the seven-inning affair (in game one) with zeros across the board through the first four frames. Only two batters, one from each club, were able to make their way to third base. Orlando’s Jason Anderson (Brevard CC) broke the tie in the bottom of the fifth with a solo shot over the leftfield wall. Two more Freedom runs were plated in the inning to give Orlando the 3-0 advantage.
Orlando (9-16) would score once more run in the following inning before the Loggerheads would manage to cut the deficit in half in the top of the seventh.
After a 26-minute lightning delay, the Loggerheads returned to the diamond as leadoff batter Drew Leonard reached first on an error by the Freedom shortstop. Leonard then made his way into scoring position on a Burgess single that made its way deep into the leftfield corner. Burgess and Leonard would then score on a Jonathan Hall (Trinity) two-run single. Hall finished the contest with one hit, two RBIs, and a stolen base.
The late rally for the Loggerheads would fall through in the final inning of play as a strikeout and a double play ended the contest to give the Freedom the 4-2 victory.
Loggerheads starting pitcher Matt Fishman (Quincy) was charged with the loss tossing 5 2/3 innings, while Orlando closer Joe Burns (Samford) was credited with the win in 2 1/3 innings of work.
In the nightcap, the Loggerheads were quick to take a 3-1 lead as Winter Haven scored back-to-back runs in the second inning, followed by a solo homer in the third by Campbell.
As the Freedom trailed by two runs heading into the bottom of the fourth, a five-spot would push Orlando’s lead to 6-3. A pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth secured the win for Orlando and put the Freedom just half a game behind the Loggerheads in the Florida League standings.
The Loggerheads were able to come within two of the Freedom in the top of the sixth, 6-4, as catcher Garrett Horan (Dickinson College) crossed the plate on a Burgess sacrifice fly.
In his first start of the season, southpaw Brady Rodriguez (Abilene Christian) was charged with the loss in 3 2/3 innings of work, recording four strikeouts. Short-reliever Kyle Rose (Georgia Tech) earned the win for Orlando recording two strikeouts in one inning on the mound, while CJ Kelly (Seminole State College) picked up a four-out save.
Winter Haven will look to turn things around as they head into the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak. The Loggerheads will have one starter on the South All-Stars team, along with four reserves. Winter Haven will return to FCSL action on Thursday, July 14 as they face the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs at 7 p.m.