Snappers Win One, Tie One in Doubleheader with Dawgs

ORLANDO, Fla. - Saturday was nearly perfect for the Orlando Snappers. Scheduled for 14 innings of baseball against the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, they looked to sweep the doubleheader and the series. Game 1 went about as ideally as a game can go. Game 2 was on pace to become an iconic late-inning victory. The weather had other plans.

In the opener of the seven-inning doubleheader, the Snappers scored in every inning. In fact, the game was shortened to five innings due to Orlando's offensive explosion. They jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning and only added to it from there, eventually cruising to an 11-0 victory.

Brooks House silenced the Dawgs through four scoreless innings, utilizing his electric fastball and devastating slider. He matched his season total in innings pitched with a dominant outing.

Orlando relied on a diversified offensive approach. Nine of the 10 Snappers in the lineup recorded a hit in the win, with six reaching base multiple times. The final blows came from Santiago Busot and Cole Goodnoe, who each homered in the top of the fifth and final inning.

The Snappers had just 35 minutes to soak in the victory before Game 2 got underway.

The Diamond Dawgs and Snappers were tied 2-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Orlando had a chance to take the lead and complete the sweep. Calmly, the Snappers loaded the bases with nobody out. Ty Kennedy stepped to the plate, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

Then a long beep echoed throughout the stadium.

Lightning had struck just under eight miles away, triggering a weather delay at The First Academy. The Orlando faithful hoped the game would resume, while Winter Park supporters likely welcomed the storm, knowing the game would end in a tie once five innings had been completed.

Ultimately, the show could not go on. Mother Nature took over the night.

The Snappers settled for a 2-2 draw in a game they appeared well-positioned to win. As they say, them's the rules.

Orlando still leads the season series 2-0-1 and improved to 7-4-1 overall. Winter Park moved to 7-5-1, sitting a half-game behind the Snappers for second place in the FCSL standings.

The Snappers continue their homestand with a matchup against the Leesburg Lightning on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at The First Academy.

Theo Shernoff (Michigan)