Snappers Sign Off from 2026 Season with Signature Win

LEESBURG, Fla. - A season full of ups and downs for the Orlando Snappers officially came to an end Saturday night. Fittingly, it concluded with one of the team's most complete performances of the summer as Orlando defeated Florida Collegiate Summer League champion Leesburg 6-0 in a wire-to-wire victory.

The Snappers entered the night needing both a win and either Sanford or Winter Park to lose. On paper, Orlando winning appeared to be the least likely part of that equation. Instead, all three teams pulled off upsets, with Sanford and Winter Park securing victories that ultimately eliminated the Snappers from postseason contention.

Orlando finished the season 14-18-2, just a half-game out of the final playoff spot. The Snappers opened the summer near the top of the standings before enduring a 6-14-1 stretch over their final 21 games that dropped them to the bottom of the table.

The disappointing finish wasn't the result of poor chemistry or a divided clubhouse. The players formed lasting friendships throughout the summer and genuinely enjoyed competing alongside one another. Nor was talent the issue. Ten Snappers earned All-Star selections, the second-most in the league. Colby Brewington and Bo Jonas shared the league lead in batting average, while Orlando featured arguably the league's top pitcher. Ultimately, inconsistent run production and a lack of pitching depth proved too much to overcome. Injuries and a thin pitching staff early in the season forced position players into high-leverage innings, a difficult formula for sustained success.

The Snappers made sure to close the season on a high note.

In front of a packed crowd at Pat Thomas Stadium, Geoffrey D'Amato turned in arguably the finest pitching performance in the FCSL this season. He silenced the league's top offense with eight scoreless innings, allowing just two hits—one of them a bunt single. Only three balls reached the outfield as D'Amato induced 15 ground-ball outs and struck out six.

"He kicked our butts," Leesburg head coach Rich Billings said after the game.

D'Amato lowered his season ERA to 0.68, the best mark in the league, further cementing his status as one of the FCSL's premier pitchers and a player to watch moving forward.

The series finale also continued Orlando's power surge. The Snappers hit six home runs over the three-game series, including two on Saturday. Elvin Figueroa launched his team-leading third homer of the season with a blast to left-center field before Johnny Davila followed with a two-run shot over the right-field scoreboard. Orlando scored six runs in the victory and finished the season averaging 5.2 runs per game, third-best in the league.

Ultimately, the Snappers fell short of defending their FCSL championship, but the 2026 season featured plenty of bright spots. It will be exciting to watch where many of these players go next, and several appear destined for continued success. Fall baseball is around the corner, but first comes some well-earned rest and time with family.

The Snappers left everything on the field, and they represented the organization with tremendous character.

Broadcaster's Note:
I've enjoyed covering the Orlando Snappers all summer. From the first practice, it's been a privilege getting to know the players and coaches. Thank you to everyone who read these stories and listened throughout the season. I hope I've been able to provide a behind-the-scenes look at this team.

Theo Shernoff (University of Michigan)