sfoggi posted on July 20, 2011 23:05
ORLANDO (July 20, 2011) – The Sanford River Rats defeated the Orlando Freedom 4-3 in a 12-inning game at Orel Hershiser Field at the First Academy Wednesday night, ending a four-game losing streak.
Offense was hard to come by as both starters threw effectively and were helped along by a host of relievers.
“Our entire pitching staff did a great tonight starting with our starter Ryan Heinz (George Washington). From there, each guy took the ball and just did what was asked of them and executed pitches,” River Rats Head Coach Stephen Piercefield said.
Heinz threw six innings and scattered seven hits, but allowed just one run, while striking out seven and walking none. Adam Maxon (Jacksonville) struck out five in his 2 2/3 innings of work and allowed just one hit. Justin Pickens (Stetson), Adam Albers (Saint Leo), Brett Allen (Embry-Riddle), and Robert Stegbauer (Lincoln Memorial) also pitched in the game. Allen earned the win.
Heinz offered a preview of the night to come in the first inning. After allowing a single and a double to put Anthony Coronia (Tampa) and Kevin Lehane (Jacksonville) at third and second, he struck out the next three batters to end the threat.
Taylor Hammond started for Orlando and allowed just two hits and no runs. Josh Larson (Santa Fe College) struck out four in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Ryan Caporice (Santa Fe College), Joseph Burns (Samford), CJ Kelly (Seminole State College), and Timothy Koons (Fort Scott CC) also pitched. Koons took the loss.
“Tonight was another well-played baseball game. Both teams put themselves in position to win it numerous times and we were fortunate tonight. We continued to keep the pressure on and execute when the time came,” Piercefield said.
The first score came in the second inning when Orlando catcher Matt Mattone (Palm Beach St.) hit a solo home run over the left field fence.
Sanford tied it up in the sixth. Austin Liput (USC Upstate) singled to lead off the inning then moved to second on an Alex Mendez (South Florida) sacrifice bunt. Liput then stole third before a TJ Gavlik (North Florida) single sent him home.
The Rats shut down another scoring opportunity for Orlando in the bottom of the eighth. With one out and Lehane on third and Lawrence Pardo (Santa Fe College) on second, Orlando Head Coach Scott Makarewicz called for the suicide squeeze. Chris Suto (Lake Sumter CC) popped then popped up a bunt to Maxon. Maxon then put the tag on Lehane for the third out of the inning.
In the top of the 10th, Ryan Brnovich (Saint Leo) led off by reaching base on a shortstop error. A centerfielder error allowed him to move to third, and a Ryan Woodrey (Nova Southeastern) sacrifice fly plated Brnovich for a 2-1 lead.
Orlando responded with a Coronia run off a Suto single to tie it once again.
“It was almost like golf where you sort of expect your partner to make the putt,” Piercefield said. “You expect them to put together a rally and they did. We just focused on the task at hand.”
Sanford (10-18-1) scored again in the 12th inning to break the tie. Mendez took a walk before a Woodrey ground out moved him to second. Gavlik took a walk as Ian MacGeorge (Embry-Riddle) hit a single to score Mendez. Johnny Mazur (Florida Tech) hit a follow-up single to plate Gavlik and give Sanford a 4-2 lead.
Orlando (11-19) nearly tied it again in the home half of the 12th. Lehane came home on a Pardo single and Pardo moved to third following a Spragg ground out and a wild pitch. Stegbauer closed the door with a 4-3 groundout and a swinging strikeout.
“Our guys give a great effort every day and don’t pay attention to streaks and wins or losses,” Piercefield said. “They execute every day and play the game. It always feels great to have the win though, so they can look back and see that what they’re doing is working.”
With a road game Thursday night against the Winter Haven Loggerheads (10-19) having playoff impact, Piercefield was quick to dismiss any added pressure.
“Every game means a lot as you get closer to the end, but to be honest it’s just another game,” he added. “We’re going to come out and keep doing what we’ve been doing all year. We take them as they come and continue to do our best. Hopefully the guys go home tonight and get a good night’s rest and we’ll get after it tomorrow.”
First pitch for Thursday’s matchup is slated for 7 p.m. at Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven.
Neil Tredray (Valencia College)