Suns Split, Winning Wild Nightcap

DELAND, Fla. - The DeLand Suns split a doubleheader with the Winter Garden Squeeze, falling 9-2 in the opener before rebounding for a 5-4 victory in eight innings in the nightcap.

Early offense propelled Winter Garden to a 9-2 victory in a game interrupted multiple times by lightning.

The Squeeze took control early, scoring two runs in the first inning and four more in the second to build a 6-0 lead.

Lightning suspended play in the second inning before the game resumed Saturday.

DeLand finally broke through in the third. Trey Seluk (Undecided) led off the inning with a single to break up Winter Garden's no-hit bid before Derek Lopez (Embry-Riddle) followed with an RBI single to score Seluk. A walk and a hit batter loaded the bases, and Nate Ricko (Pasco-Hernando) grounded out to bring home Lopez, trimming the deficit to 6-2.

Play was interrupted by another lightning delay in the third inning.

Winter Garden added three runs in the sixth to extend its lead to 9-2.

A third lightning delay ended the game, with the Squeeze securing the victory.

DeLand closed the weekend on a winning note, defeating Winter Garden 5-4 in eight innings in the second game

It was a pitchers' duel early, with neither team recording a hit through the first two innings.

The Suns broke through in the third. Trey Seluk drew a leadoff walk before Blue Hunter (Glendale CC) also reached on a walk. Bryce Pasternack (Daytona State) delivered a one-out RBI single to score Seluk and give DeLand a 1-0 lead. Shane Thomas (Undecided) then reached on a fielder's choice, and a throwing error on Winter Garden's attempted double play allowed Hunter to score for a 2-0 advantage.

Winter Garden answered with a run in the fourth before tying the game at 2-2 in the seventh.

Neither team scored again in regulation, sending the game to extra innings.

The Squeeze plated two runs in the top of the eighth on an RBI double and a sacrifice fly to take a 4-2 lead.

With automatic runner Derek Lopez on second to begin the bottom of the eighth, Boomer Rogozinski (Stetson) singled before stealing second to put the tying run in scoring position. After the next two DeLand batters struck out, pinch hitter Nate Ricko battled back from a 1-2 count and lined a two-run double down the right-field line, scoring Lopez and Rogozinski to tie the game. As Ricko advanced to third, an errant throw skipped away, allowing him to score the winning run.

With the split, DeLand moved into sole possession of second place at 14-15, while Winter Garden fell to third at 14-16.

The Suns return to action Monday against the Sanford River Rats at Conrad Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

J.C. Fox (Mississippi Christian University)