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SANFORD, Fla – The Sanford River Rats (15-8) picked up a 6-1 win against the DeLand Suns (11-12) on Friday night, securing a series victory in the process.

Rats starter Demetrious Vizcarra (Pasco Hernando) let up a run in the top of the first and Sanford trailed 1-0 for the first time in the series. That would be all Vizcarra and the bullpen would allow as Sanford wouldn’t permit another run in the game.

Vizcarra would pick up a season high seven strikeouts over five innings. He struck out six consecutive batters in the third and fourth innings.

“My first innings are really my worst innings, after my first innings I settled in, get in my groove, and get a rhythm going,” Vizcarra said.

Sanford would take the lead in the third inning on a two-run single off the bat of Tom Josten (UCF). The Rats would tack on another run in the sixth on an RBI single from Pat MacDonald (San Marcos). The LSU duo of Josh Pearson and Brennan Holt would double and single in the seventh, giving Sanford a 6-1 lead.

Pearson would score two runs in the contest, as he has now reached base safely in 21 of the teams 23 games, while scoring at least one run in 16 different games. The MVP frontrunner remains at the top of the FCSL leaderboards in the majority of offensive statistics.

Alex Goff (Samford), Dawson Young (Webber), and Jack Tomich (Rollins) would combine for four scoreless innings of relief, securing the win for Vizcarra.

The Rats are now on a three-game win streak following the conclusion of this year’s MLB draft which saw several key members of the team leave to pursue professional careers.

“Everyone is fired up to get our guys drafted, we’re happy for them, but it’s time for us to step up and show we can play,” Vizacarra added.

The team is back in action on Saturday at 7:00 as they look to complete the series sweep when they head to Melching Field in DeLand.

Andrew Pawling (Florida Southern)