Rats Complete Second Half Surge, Head to Playoffs

DELAND, Fla. — The Sanford River Rats clinched a playoff berth for the 23rd consecutive season, completing a sweep of the DeLand Suns with an 8-3 victory in the regular-season finale.

Sanford wasted little time taking control in the first inning. Jordan Marlo scored on Tyler Meyer's RBI double down the left-field line before Adonys Velez drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run. AJ Seymour capped the three-run frame with a sacrifice fly to give the River Rats a 3-0 lead.

DeLand answered in the bottom of the inning when Akhil Nimmala launched a two-run home run, trimming the deficit to 3-2.

After the early hiccup, starting pitcher Vargas settled in and turned in another strong performance for Sanford. The right-hander worked six innings, allowing two earned runs while striking out seven to earn the victory. He held the Suns scoreless over his final five innings, consistently attacking the strike zone and giving the River Rats an opportunity to build their lead.

Sanford did just that in the fourth inning. Ethan Beal delivered an RBI single to center and advanced into scoring position on a throwing error, extending the lead to 4-2. Caleb Scott followed with an RBI fielder's choice before Marlo capped the four-run inning with a two-run single up the middle, stretching the advantage to 7-2.

The River Rats added an insurance run in the eighth when Seymour recorded his second RBI of the night with another sacrifice fly, scoring Meyer to make it 8-2.

The Suns scored their final run in the bottom of the eighth on an unearned run following a throwing error, but Sanford's bullpen closed out the 8-3 victory.

The River Rats finished the regular season at 15-18-1 and will have back-to-back off days before opening a best-of-three Florida Collegiate Summer League semifinal series against the Winter Garden Squeeze on Tuesday night at Horizon High School.

Alejandro Landers (Elon University)