Go-ahead Double Propels Squeeze to Third Straight Win

WINTER PARK, Fla. — The Winter Garden Squeeze appeared to be in complete control on a humid Monday night.

Holding a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, Winter Garden reliever Julian Pitts (Undecided) issued a pair of walks, putting the tying run on base. The Squeeze then turned to Keith Holden (Rollins), who induced a groundout for the second out of the inning and moved within one out of escaping the threat.

But the Diamond Dawgs found some late magic at Alfond Stadium.

Ethan Zagers (Air Force) lifted what appeared to be the final out of the inning into shallow center field, but all three Winter Garden fielders lost the ball in the lights. The ball dropped for a two-run single, allowing both runners to score and tying the game at 3-3.

Holden escaped the inning without further damage, and neither team scored in the ninth, sending the game to extra innings for the second time this season between the clubs.

Winter Garden capitalized on its opportunity in the 10th.

With two outs and runners at second and third, Alex Galan (Lake-Sumter State) delivered the decisive blow. The center fielder lined a double into the left-center-field gap, scoring both runners and giving the Squeeze a 5-3 advantage.

Winter Park answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning when Garrett Frost (Undecided) singled home international tiebreaker runner Roberto Odor (Saint Leo), cutting the deficit to one. Holden, however, retired the next two hitters to secure the victory.

The Winter Garden Squeeze (5-8) defeated the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs (7-6-1), 5-4, in the opener of a two-game series at Alfond Stadium.

Offense was difficult to come by throughout the night, as the teams combined for 24 strikeouts. Winter Garden pitchers accounted for 17 of them.

The Squeeze opened the scoring in the second inning when Leo Suarez (Polk State) crossed the plate on a wild pitch by Winter Park starter Tyler Mecchella (Florida International), giving Winter Garden a 1-0 lead.

On the mound, Kaden Howell (Santa Fe) dominated during his three-inning start. The right-hander tossed three scoreless innings and struck out five.

In the third inning, Fabian Antonsanti (Stetson) drew a leadoff walk and promptly stole second base — one of his three steals on the night and his ninth of the season. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored on a dropped third strike charged to Peyson Garcia (St. Johns River State), extending Winter Garden's lead to 2-0.

The Antonsanti-Garcia combination struck again in the fifth.

Antonsanti singled and stole second to move into scoring position. Garcia then reached on a throwing error by Winter Park shortstop Osmin Melendez (USC Aiken), allowing Antonsanti to score and extend the lead to 3-0.

Jacob Thomas (Eckerd) and Rhys Rego (Undecided) were equally effective out of the bullpen for Winter Garden, combining for 3 2/3 scoreless innings before the late-game drama unfolded.

The Squeeze return home Tuesday for Paint the Park Purple Night, presented by Matthew's Hope of Winter Garden. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Horizon High School.

Zach Moore (University of Florida)