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SANFORD, Fla.- The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs claimed their sixth Florida League title Sunday night, as they defeated the Leesburg Lightning at Sanford Memorial Stadium. Winter Park, who run ruled the Lightning to the tune of an 11-3 final score, dominated in all aspects of game three.

In a winner take all matchup, the Dawgs took advantage of an error in the first, making it a 1-0 game. Edgar Alvarez provided the second run of the game in the bottom of the third, bringing in a run on a fielder's choice to expand the lead to 2-0. 

With Winter Park's rotation down to just a small handful of pitchers, Jaxon Mills (Rollins) once again answered the call. As he has been all season, Mills was electric. He took a perfect game into the seventh inning, and was the winning pitcher in the decisive game of the Championship Series.

“None of it wouldn’t have been possible without (catcher Aidan) Duda; he called a great game,” Mills said. “Dale (Thomas) has been making plays all year for us; it just felt great to bounce back after last year.”

The Dawgs' offense exploded in the fourth inning, scoring five runs. The biggest hit was supplied by Joe Becker (Daytona State), who sent a two-run moonshot out the park, giving his team all the momentum they would need.

“I was just trying to add more runs, and it felt great off the bat,” Becker said. “I honestly can’t even remember anything; I’m just excited we got it done.”

Kyle Mock (Troy) then continued to find gaps, clearing the bases with a three-run double to put the Dawgs in command, 7-0.

“I was nervous at the time; I didn’t think four runs was enough,” Mock said. “This is awesome because I didn’t think I’d be back in the FCSL, but Dale got me to come back. I became best friends with these guys I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

The Bolts put up three runs in the seventh, trying to claw back in the game, but Winter Park responded like they have done all year.

Braden Calise (Louisville) ended the game with a two-run double in the eighth. This put the run-rule in effect, giving Winter Park the title by an 11-3 score.

Dale Thomas (Florida) put up video game-like numbers in all three games, earning MVP honors. He went 6-for-7 with two home runs, eight walks, and seven runs scored.

“This meant a lot; we beat a very good team and people were sleeping on us,” Thomas said. “I am speechless, and I would not want to do it with any other guys; we have dogs all over this team.”

The championship was the first in the Florida League for head coach Terry Abbott, coming in his first year as the Diamond Dawgs' skipper.

Michael Ballard (Eckerd), who has been a key part of this team for several years, was able to get his revenge this time around against Leesburg.

“I was feeling great coming in; I feel like nobody can beat us two games in a row,” Ballard said. “When our back is against the wall, we are at our best.”

Alex Maloney (University of Central Florida)