Diamond Dawgs Rally From Four-Run Deficit in Win

ORLANDO, Fla. – After falling behind 4-0 in the second inning, the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs stormed back with eight unanswered runs to defeat the Orlando Snappers 8-4 on Tuesday night at The First Academy.

The victory improved the Diamond Dawgs to 9-9-1 on the season.

The Snappers capitalized on early wildness and a defensive miscue to build a four-run advantage in the second inning, but Winter Park gradually chipped away at the deficit.

Osmin Melendez got the Dawgs on the board by stealing home as part of a double steal. In the fifth inning, Jacob Pearl delivered an RBI double to the opposite field, cutting the Orlando lead to 4-2.

The game turned in the sixth inning when Carson Balls lined a two-run double down the left-field line to tie the game. Later in the frame, Daniel Irizarry delivered an RBI single to right field to give Winter Park its first lead of the night.

The Diamond Dawgs continued to add insurance runs, with Skyler Jersey driving in a run in the seventh inning before Melendez's two-run double in the eighth stretched the advantage to 8-4.

Winter Park remained aggressive on the bases throughout the game, stealing six bases in the victory.

Anthony Filice started for the Diamond Dawgs and allowed four runs over 1 2/3 innings. Nick Sakowski was dominant in relief, earning the win after tossing 4 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out three.

Knute Rockey closed the door with three scoreless innings to record his first save of the season.

Winter Park's pitching staff held Orlando to four hits, while the defense turned four double plays to help erase the early deficit and secure the comeback victory.

The Diamond Dawgs are off Wednesday before opening a three-game series against the DeLand Suns on Thursday at Alfond Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Justin Baltes (University of Central Florida)