Suns Sweep River Rats in Doubleheader

DELAND, Fla. - The DeLand Suns extended their win streak to three, defeating the Sanford River Rats 5-2 and 3-2 while sweeping the midweek doubleheader.

Game 1

DeLand got the evening started with a "road" win, 5-2.

DeLand was at bat first in Game 1, a makeup from a rainout originally scheduled as a Sanford home game, and did not take long to get on the board.

In the top of the second inning, DeLand loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. With one out, Torin Foley (Embry-Riddle) singled on the first pitch he saw, scoring Akhil Nimmala (Undecided).

Sanford responded in the bottom of the second, pushing across a run on a single that scored a runner from third.

DeLand struck again in the fourth, scoring a trio of runs. With two runners on, Bryce Pasternack (Daytona State) doubled into the right-center field gap, scoring Akhil Nimmala and Noah Prudencio (Florida State College). With two outs, Hunter Demetree (Tallahassee State) delivered a clutch RBI single, scoring Pasternack and extending the DeLand lead to 4-1.

The Suns added another run in the fifth. Shane Thomas (Undecided) hit a one-out double to put himself in scoring position. Boomer Rogozinski (Stetson) followed with a single and stole second to move runners to second and third for Nimmala. Nimmala then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Thomas to score and increasing the DeLand lead to 5-1.

Sanford added a run in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on a leadoff baserunner, but it was their final run of the game.

Jacob Thomas (North Florida) started the game for DeLand and earned the win. Marco Gonzales and John Carroll each pitched an inning of relief, with Carroll earning his first save of the season.

Game 2

DeLand clinched the sweep, winning Game 2, 3-2.

Sanford jumped out to an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first.

DeLand responded in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on a Josh Vinciguerra (Undecided) leadoff single. Vinciguerra then stole both second and third. Boomer Rogozinski came to the plate with one out and delivered a single to right field, scoring Vinciguerra.

The game remained 2-1 Sanford for the next four and a half innings as both starting pitchers settled in and consistently retired hitters. DeLand starter Nic Delucia (Daytona State) exited after recording two outs in the sixth inning, finishing with two runs allowed and five strikeouts.

In the bottom of the sixth, DeLand took its first lead of the game. After back-to-back walks put two runners on, Akhil Nimmala came to the plate with two outs and delivered a two-run single, scoring Vinciguerra and Shane Thomas to give DeLand a 3-2 lead.

Couper Gatch (Eastern Florida State) retired Sanford in order in the seventh to secure the Suns' third consecutive win.

With the pair of wins, DeLand improves to 4-5, while Sanford falls to 1-8. The two teams are next scheduled to meet in back-to-back games on June 15 and 16 in DeLand.

DeLand takes its three-game winning streak into a weekend series with the Leesburg Lightning. The two teams open the series in Leesburg on June 11 at 7:00 p.m.

J.C. Fox (Mississippi Christian)