Suns Lead Doesn't Hold in Home Opener

DELAND, Fla. - The DeLand Suns dropped an early-season rematch against the Winter Garden Squeeze, 5-3, on Wednesday night.

DeLand applied the first offensive pressure of the ballgame in the second inning, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Ultimately, a groundout and a strikeout resulted in a scoreless inning for the Suns.

In the third inning, DeLand got on the scoreboard by capitalizing on a pair of wild pitches that allowed Torin Foley (Embry-Riddle) and Nic Partridge (Florida) to score. The inning ended with the Suns stranding runners on second and third.

The Winter Garden pitching staff made quick work of the Suns in the fourth and fifth innings, not allowing a runner to advance past second base. In the top of the sixth inning, Winter Garden got on the scoreboard by capitalizing on a bases-loaded opportunity.

The Suns responded in the bottom half of the inning. After Josh Vinciguerra (Undecided) delivered DeLand's first hit of the game to lead off the sixth, Richard Collazo (Eastern Florida State) reached on a fielder's choice. Collazo then stole second and third with Trey Seluk (Northwest Florida State) at the plate. Seluk delivered DeLand's second hit of the day, driving in Collazo to extend the lead to 3-1.

In the top of the seventh inning, Winter Garden capitalized on a walk and a pair of singles to tie the game at 3-3.

In the top of the ninth, a leadoff walk and a hit batter put two runners aboard for the Squeeze. A double and a sacrifice fly drove in both runners, giving Winter Garden a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Suns recorded a pair of two-out singles to apply pressure, but they were ultimately unable to complete the comeback.

The Suns finished with six hits and relied on walks and hit batters to reach base throughout the night. DeLand continued to struggle with runners in scoring position, stranding 14 runners on base, including eight in scoring position.

The Suns will get a chance to bounce back on the road against the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. The two teams are scheduled to meet Thursday at 6 p.m. at Alfond Stadium.

J.C. Fox (Mississippi Christian University)