Diamond Dawgs Finish Sweep of DeLand

The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs found themselves trailing late Saturday night, but one swing from Anthony Vizzini changed everything.

The Dawgs erupted for six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and rode Vizzini's three-run home run to an 8-4 victory over the DeLand Suns at Alfond Stadium. Winter Park improved to 5-3 on the season with the comeback win.

For much of the night, the Dawgs struggled to generate offense against the Suns' pitching staff. DeLand carried a 2-0 lead into the fifth inning before Vizzini helped get Winter Park on the board, driving in Daniel Irizarry with a fielder's choice to cut the deficit to 2-1.

After DeLand extended its lead to 3-1 in the top of the seventh, the Dawgs' offense finally broke through. Ethan Koller delivered a clutch two-run single to tie the game at 3-3 and set the stage for Vizzini's defining moment.

With runners on base and momentum beginning to shift, Vizzini stepped to the plate and crushed a three-run homer to right field. The blast scored Koller and Irizarry and instantly turned a tie game into a 6-3 Winter Park lead. The home run ignited the dugout and energized the crowd as the Dawgs seized control of the contest.

The inning wasn't over. Roberto Odor followed with an RBI single, and Ethan Zagers drew an RBI walk in the eighth inning to stretch the lead to 8-3.

Vizzini finished with one hit, but it was the biggest hit of the night. He drove in four runs, accounting for half of Winter Park's offense and delivering the decisive blow in the seventh inning.

On the mound, Presley Woodson gave the Dawgs five solid innings, allowing two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out one. Knute Rockey earned the victory with three innings of relief, allowing one run on Marco Gonzales' solo home run. Tristan Lopez closed out the game, allowing one run while striking out one.

When the Dawgs needed a spark most, Vizzini delivered. His seventh-inning three-run homer transformed a close game into a statement victory and highlighted one of Winter Park's most exciting wins of the season.

The Dawgs will be off Sunday before returning to action Monday at home against the Sanford River Rats, who enter the matchup at 1-5 on the season.

Justin Baltes (University of Central Florida)