Suns Split Modified Doubleheader; Win Game 1 on Walk-Off

DELAND, Fla. - The DeLand Suns and the Leesburg Lightning split a weather-induced doubleheader, with the Suns taking Game 1, 5-4, before falling in Game 2, 5-4.

Game 1

With the weekend series tied at one game apiece, DeLand and Leesburg faced off on a Saturday evening.

The Suns struck first, capitalizing on a Shane Thomas (Undecided) single in the first. With one out, Boomer Rogozinski (Stetson) singled to center, scoring Thomas and giving DeLand an early 1-0 lead.

Leesburg responded in the top of the second. After a questionable call allowed the leadoff batter to reach third safely, an RBI groundout tied the game at 1-1.

DeLand wasted no time taking back the lead, scoring again in the bottom of the second. Asher Kimball (Lycoming) reached on an error, and Blue Hunter (Glendale CC) and Devon Crown (Mississippi Christian) followed with singles to load the bases. With one out, Shane Thomas hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Kimball and giving DeLand the lead.

The Suns scored a pair of runs in the fourth to extend their lead. Bryce Pasternack (Daytona State) led off the inning with a single. Torin Foley (Embry-Riddle) followed with a single. On the ball put in play by Foley, Pasternack scored on an errant throw while Foley advanced to second. Asher Kimball then delivered a third consecutive single, scoring Foley.

The game was suspended prior to the start of the fifth inning due to weather.

Eighteen days, 20 hours and 23 minutes after the game was suspended, play resumed with the Suns leading 4-1.

In the fifth, Leesburg started its comeback by scoring a run with two outs.

Leesburg scored again in the seventh. A leadoff solo home run cut the DeLand lead to 4-3.

The Lightning added another run in the ninth to tie the game at 4-4.

Leesburg pitching retired 15 consecutive Suns hitters between the fifth and ninth innings, preventing DeLand from scoring and sending the game to extra innings.

Neither team scored in the 10th, despite Leesburg loading the bases with one out.

In the bottom of the 11th, after holding the Lightning scoreless in the top half of the inning, DeLand put runners at the corners with one out. Nic Partridge (Florida) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Devon Crown with the winning run.

Game 2

Leesburg struck first, jumping out to a 3-0 lead by scoring once in the second inning and twice in the fourth.

DeLand started its comeback in the fourth, scoring one run. Boomer Rogozinski reached on a fielder's choice and stole second to move into scoring position. Derek Lopez (Embry-Riddle) then singled to right for his first hit as a Sun, scoring Rogozinski.

The Suns took the lead in the seventh, scoring three runs in the frame. Derek Lopez singled, Christian Duarte (Undecided) reached on a fielder's choice, and Bryce Pasternack walked to load the bases with two outs. Nate Ricko (Pasco-Hernando) came to the plate as a pinch hitter and delivered a clutch bases-clearing double to give DeLand a 4-3 lead.

The Lightning answered with solo home runs in the eighth and ninth innings to reclaim a 5-4 advantage.

In the bottom of the ninth, DeLand threatened with runners on the corners and one out. The magic ran out for the Suns as a soft ground ball up the middle resulted in a game-ending double play.

After the split, Leesburg improved to 18-7 while DeLand moved to 10-13. The two teams are next scheduled to meet on July 4.

DeLand returns to action at home on July 3 against Winter Park. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Conrad Park, with fireworks to follow the game.

J.C. Fox (Mississippi Christian University)