Snappers Drop Two in Modified Doubleheader

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando Snappers dropped both ends of a Wednesday twinbill, falling to the Winter Garden Squeeze and the DeLand Suns. While the games unfolded in dramatically different fashion, both ended in disappointing losses for Orlando.

The opener was the resumption of a suspended game against the Squeeze that began on July 3. Play resumed in the third inning with the Snappers leading 6-1 and two runners in scoring position. Winter Garden escaped the inning without further damage before immediately beginning its comeback.

What followed was the highest-scoring game in the Florida Collegiate Summer League this season. The Squeeze and Snappers traded runs throughout the remainder of the contest before Winter Garden pulled away for an 18-13 victory in six and a half innings. It was a crushing defeat for Orlando, which entered the night holding a five-run lead but was unable to finish the job.

The nightcap offered little relief. The DeLand Suns' pitching staff silenced the Snappers' offense, led by Colby White, who tossed five scoreless innings. White continued his dominance over Orlando this season, keeping the Snappers off the scoreboard as DeLand completed the shutout.

The two losses dropped the Orlando Snappers to 13-16-2 and into fifth place in the FCSL standings, just 1.5 games ahead of the Sanford River Rats for the final playoff spot. With only the top five teams qualifying for the postseason, Orlando's margin for error has all but disappeared.

The Snappers' season could hinge on their upcoming three-game series against the Leesburg Lightning. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at The First Academy.

Theo Shernoff (Michigan)