Staggering Squeeze Comeback Inches Winter Garden Closer to Playoffs

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Winter Garden Squeeze (15-16) completed one of the wildest comebacks of the Florida League season Wednesday, rallying from a five-run deficit to defeat the Orlando Snappers (13-15-2) 18-13 in a game that spanned nearly two weeks.

Originally scheduled as the first game of a July 3 doubleheader, the contest was suspended because of lightning with two outs in the top of the third inning at The First Academy. Orlando led 6-1 when play was halted. When the game resumed Wednesday, however, the Squeeze erupted for 17 runs to climb back into second place in the Florida League standings.

Orlando struck first on July 3 as shortstop Roy Rodriguez launched a two-run home run in the first inning for a 2-0 lead. Rodriguez finished 4 for 5 with five RBIs despite the loss.

Winter Garden answered in the bottom of the second when right fielder Cael Reish lined an RBI single to right, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

Jason Sawyer started for the Squeeze, allowing five hits while striking out three over 2 2/3 innings.

The Snappers appeared to seize control by scoring four runs in the top of the third before the lightning delay. Catcher Bo Jonas drove in a run with an RBI single during the rally and finished with three hits.

When play resumed Wednesday, Caleb Clanton inherited two runners with two outs in the third inning and escaped the jam by inducing a groundout to third base. Rodriguez added another RBI with a single in the fourth, extending Orlando's lead to 7-1.

Winter Garden answered in the bottom of the fourth.

Ayden Elixson reached on a dropped third strike to lead off the inning. Colson May and Peyson Garcia followed with singles before Reish grounded into what would have been the inning-ending out had Elixson not reached base. The play scored May and trimmed the deficit to 7-2.

Brody Bellomo drew a bases-loaded walk before Fabian Antonsanti lined an RBI single to left, cutting the deficit to 7-4. Alex Galan completed the comeback with a bases-clearing double down the left-field line, tying the game at 7-7.

Clanton allowed two runs over 1 1/3 innings before Thomas Gibbs earned the victory, striking out two over one inning of relief.

Orlando regained the lead with two runs in the fifth. Jonas collected his second RBI of the game, putting the Snappers back in front 9-7.

Winter Garden answered immediately with another big inning.

Carlos Fuenmayor drew a leadoff walk before Reish ripped an RBI double down the left-field line. Antonsanti followed with a two-run double to give the Squeeze a 10-9 lead. Galan added a sacrifice fly, and Osjun Rivas later scored on a throwing error by second baseman Mason Resmando to cap the five-run inning.

The Snappers cut the deficit to 12-11 in the sixth. Danny Garcia drove in a run with a groundout before Cole Goodnoe added an RBI single. With Elvin Figueroa attempting to score the tying run, Antonsanti made a stellar defensive play to record the final out of the inning and preserve the lead.

Winter Garden put the game away with a six-run sixth inning.

Garcia and Reish each added another hit, while Galan collected his fifth RBI of the afternoon with an RBI single to left. Elixson later added a sacrifice fly as the Squeeze built an 18-11 advantage.

Orlando scored twice in the seventh, but Rhys Rego and Keith Holden combined to record the final three outs and secure the victory.

The teams combined for 31 runs—the highest-scoring Florida League game this season—while each club finished with 13 hits.

Winter Garden returns to Horizon Park on Thursday to open its final regular-season series against the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs (14-16). The Squeeze can clinch at least a play-in berth with one victory, while a series sweep would guarantee a top-three finish.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday.

Zach Moore (University of Florida)