Suns Back in Win Column with Run Rule Win

ORLANDO, Fla. — The DeLand Suns snapped their five-game losing streak in emphatic fashion Monday night, rolling past the Orlando Snappers 12-1 in a seven-inning run-rule victory.

DeLand improved to 2-5 on the season behind a balanced offensive attack and strong pitching performance, while Orlando fell to 5-3.

The Snappers threatened early against Suns starter Colby White (Undecided), loading the bases in the first inning. White escaped the jam with a strikeout and a flyout to keep the game scoreless. Orlando put runners on again in the second, but a caught stealing by catcher Shane Thomas (Undecided) helped preserve the scoreless tie.

After being retired in order through the first two innings, the DeLand offense broke through in the third. Bryce Pasternack (Daytona State) singled for the Suns' first baserunner before Richard Collazo (Eastern Florida State) tripled to drive him home and give DeLand a 1-0 lead.

Two batters later, Josh Vinciguerra (Undecided) stepped to the plate with two outs and Collazo on third and launched a two-run home run to left field, extending the Suns' advantage to 3-0.

Orlando answered in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff walk helped spark the rally, and a single to right field plated a run. The Snappers attempted to score a second run on the play, but Collazo fired a strike from right field to Thomas at the plate to cut down the runner and preserve a 3-1 DeLand lead.

The Suns immediately responded and never looked back.

Akhil Nimmala (Undecided) delivered an RBI double in the fourth inning to make it 4-1. In the fifth, Asher Kimball scored on a ball put in play by Thomas before Vinciguerra crossed the plate on a wild pitch to push the lead to 6-1.

DeLand broke the game open with a four-run sixth inning. Boomer Rogozinski (Stetson) scored on a wild pitch after reaching base and advancing to third on a throwing error during a stolen-base attempt. Pasternack followed with an RBI double to score Marco Gonzales (Saint Leo).

Later in the inning, Vinciguerra drew a bases-loaded walk to force home another run, and Collazo scored when the Snappers failed to convert an infield-fly opportunity, extending the lead to 10-1.

The Suns added two more runs in the seventh. Nimmala collected his second RBI of the night with a run-scoring single to center, and Trey Seluk (Northwest Florida State) followed with a sacrifice fly to account for the final margin.

White earned the victory after allowing one run on five hits over four innings while striking out three. Izzy Rivera (Eastern Florida State) and Jason Dennis (Embry-Riddle) combined for three scoreless innings of relief to close out the win.

Vinciguerra finished with three RBIs, while Collazo scored three runs and added an RBI. Nimmala drove in two runs as DeLand matched its season high with 12 runs.

The Suns return to action Tuesday for a doubleheader against the Sanford River Rats. First pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 4 p.m.

J.C. Fox (Mississippi Christian University)