Rats Split Doubleheader with Squeeze

SANFORD, Fla. - Sanford split Saturday's doubleheader against the Winter Garden Squeeze after a pair of pitchers' duels.

In Game 1, Sanford outlasted Winter Garden 1-0 in eight innings thanks to a walk-off hit by Jordan Marlo.

Neither team could break through during regulation as both pitching staffs dominated. Sanford's starting pitcher turned in one of the River Rats' best outings of the season, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and three walks. He struck out one batter and consistently worked out of trouble to keep the Squeeze off the scoreboard.

With the game scoreless entering the eighth inning under the international tiebreaker rule, Winter Garden was unable to capitalize on its automatic runner in the top half. Tyler Garcia took over on the mound for Sanford and delivered a scoreless frame, setting the stage for the River Rats in the bottom of the inning.

Adonys Velez began the inning as the automatic runner at second base and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by AJ Seymour. After Nick Upperman struck out swinging for the second out, Marlo delivered the game's biggest hit, lining a single through the left side to score Velez and give Sanford a 1-0 walk-off victory.

Because the run scored under the international tiebreaker rule, it was ruled unearned.

Garcia earned the win after pitching a scoreless eighth inning, while Winter Garden reliever Peyson Garcia was charged with the loss. Garcia pitched two innings, allowing one hit and one unearned run while striking out four batters.

In Game 2, it was Winter Garden that got the last laugh.

The Squeeze struck first in the opening inning when Alexander Galan lined an RBI single up the middle to score Peyson Garcia and give Winter Garden a 1-0 lead.

The game remained a pitchers' duel through the middle innings, thanks in large part to Sanford starter Gabriel Vargas. The right-hander worked five strong innings, allowing two runs while striking out seven batters and keeping the River Rats within striking distance.

Winter Garden added to its lead in the fourth inning when Carlos Fuenmayor launched a solo home run to left field, extending the advantage to 2-0.

The Squeeze pushed across another run in the sixth after a Sanford fielding error allowed Ayden Elixson to score, making it 3-0.

The River Rats finally broke through in the bottom half of the sixth. With the bases loaded, Drew Pynes delivered Sanford's biggest hit of the game, ripping a double to right-center field. The extra-base hit brought home John Dobkowski, Ethan Beal and Michael Thomas, trimming the deficit to 3-2 and bringing Sanford within one run.

Winter Garden responded immediately in the seventh. Fabian Antonsanti singled to left field to score Brody Bellomo, restoring a two-run lead. Later in the inning, a throwing error allowed Antonsanti to score an unearned insurance run, extending the lead to 5-2.

Sanford was unable to mount another comeback in its final at-bat as the Squeeze secured the split.

Pynes led the River Rats offensively with a three-run double and three RBIs. Vargas turned in a quality start, striking out seven over five innings while allowing two runs. Luke Rossi was charged with the loss after surrendering the decisive runs in the seventh inning.

For Winter Garden, Brady Montrowl set the tone early with four scoreless innings on the mound. Rylee Gibson earned the win in relief, pitching the final three innings and allowing two runs while preserving the Squeeze's lead.

(Alejandro Landers – Elon University)