Squeeze Slug Past Snappers Behind Freitas' Big Night

Squeeze Slug Past Snappers Behind Freitas' Big Night

Winter Garden, Fla. — On a windy night at Horizon Park, the Winter Garden Squeeze and Orlando Snappers took full advantage of the conditions, combining for 20 hits in a high-scoring affair. Leading the charge for Winter Garden was right fielder David Freitas (Hillsborough), who blasted two home runs that proved to be the difference.

Freitas delivered his first big swing in the bottom of the second inning. After Orlando starter Aiden Stillman (Vanderbilt) issued a walk to Edwin Melendez, Freitas launched a two-run homer down the left-field line to tie the game at 2-2.

He struck again in the fifth inning, crushing a no-doubt solo shot over the left-center-field wall to extend the Squeeze's lead to 7-5.

Powered by Freitas' two-homer performance, the Winter Garden Squeeze (2-3) defeated the Orlando Snappers (3-2), 11-6, in the opener of a three-game homestand at Horizon Park. The victory also served as a measure of revenge after Winter Garden was swept by Orlando in the teams' opening series last season.

The Snappers opened the scoring in the first inning when Colby Brewington (Florida Southern) doubled off Squeeze starter Caleb Clanton (Santa Fe). Roy Rodriguez (Undecided) followed with a full-count walk, and Luke Mottola (UCF) lined a single into left field that brought home both runners after a fielding error by left fielder Brody Bellomo. Clanton escaped further damage and completed his outing after two innings.

Following Freitas' game-tying homer, the Squeeze seized the lead in the second inning. Stillman issued three consecutive walks to load the bases, prompting Orlando to turn to Gavin Meyer (Seminole State) in relief. Meyer was unable to escape the jam, walking Fabian Antonsanti (Stetson) to force in the go-ahead run and give Winter Garden its first lead of the night.

Orlando reclaimed the lead in the top of the third inning thanks to the game's second home run. Elvin Figueroa Mastre (Rollins) launched a two-run shot to straightaway center field, giving the Snappers a 4-3 advantage.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Squeeze answered in the bottom half of the inning. Winter Garden plated two runs on a throwing error by Orlando catcher Cole Goodnoe (St. Johns River State) to move back in front. Bellomo added to the rally with an RBI single to center field, extending the Squeeze's lead to 6-4.

The Snappers continued to battle back. Gavin Gonzalez (Calhoun) led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to trim the deficit to one. After Freitas restored the two-run cushion with his second homer of the night in the bottom half of the inning, Gonzalez struck again in the sixth, launching another solo shot to make it 7-6.

Winter Garden created some separation in the bottom of the sixth. Peyson Garcia (St. Johns River State) grounded out to first baseman Figueroa Mastre, but the play allowed Landon Towns (Florida SouthWestern) to score and push the lead to 8-6. The Squeeze added three more runs later in the frame, highlighted by Alex Galan's two-run double into the left-center-field gap, extending the advantage to 11-6.

Winter Garden utilized five pitchers in the victory. Following Clanton's two-inning start, Peyton Rutledge (Santa Fe) worked 1 1/3 innings before exiting due to injury. Fellow Santa Fe product Kaden Howell entered in relief and provided 2 1/3 innings, striking out two while earning the victory.

Rylee Gibson (The Citadel) continued his strong start to the season with another scoreless outing, recording two strikeouts. Newcomer Rhys Rego (Undecided), a submarine-style right-hander, closed out the game and escaped a bases-loaded jam by inducing a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

The Squeeze return to Horizon Park on Friday night for Game 2 of the series against the Snappers. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Zach Moore (University of Florida)