Late-inning Comeback Falls Short as Sanford Loses, 5-2

WINTER PARK, Fla. — The Sanford River Rats were unable to overcome an early deficit Monday night, falling 5-2 to the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs at Alfond Stadium.

Winter Park broke through in the third inning when Roberto Odor lined an RBI single through the left side to score Justus Mike. Later in the frame, Jake Biaggi delivered the biggest hit of the night for the Diamond Dawgs, ripping a two-run double to left field that plated Odor and Osmin Melendez to extend the lead to 3-0.

The Diamond Dawgs added to their advantage in the fifth inning as Houston Hosford singled up the middle to bring home Mike and make it 4-0. Winter Park added an insurance run in the sixth when Skyler Jersey scored on a Sanford fielding error following a single by Colton Musgrave, pushing the lead to 5-0.

The River Rats finally broke through in the seventh inning. AJ Seymour came through with a clutch two-run double down the third-base line, scoring John Dobkowski and Michael Dobkowski to cut the deficit to 5-2. However, Sanford could not generate any further offense as the comeback attempt fell short.

Winter Park's pitching staff kept the River Rats off the scoreboard through the first six innings, while the Diamond Dawgs capitalized on timely hitting and Sanford miscues to build a comfortable lead.

Seymour provided the offensive highlight for Sanford with a team-high two RBIs, while John Dobkowski and Michael Dobkowski accounted for the River Rats' two runs. Biaggi paced the Diamond Dawgs with a two-run double, while Odor, Hosford and Musgrave each contributed an RBI.

The loss dropped Sanford to 1-6 on the season as the River Rats continue searching for momentum during the opening weeks of the Florida Collegiate Summer League campaign.

Alejandro Landers (Elon University)