Squeeze Claims First Series Victory with Rain-Shortened Win

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — The Winter Garden Squeeze (4-8) secured their first series victory of the season Saturday evening, defeating the Sanford River Rats (2-10) 2-1 in a rain-shortened contest at Horizon High School. The game was called after 5 1/2 innings because of severe weather.

After two pitching duels in Friday's doubleheader, both teams wasted little time generating offense in the rubber match.

Sanford struck first in the opening inning. Back-to-back singles by Jordan Marlo (Florida SouthWestern State) and Zach Walker (Florida Southern) put runners on second and third before a fielder's choice by John Dobokowski (Enterprise State) brought home Marlo for a 1-0 River Rats lead.

Despite allowing the early run, Winter Garden starter Jason Sawyer (Undecided) remained in control throughout his second start of the season. The right-hander scattered three hits over five innings, struck out three, and earned his first victory of the summer, improving to 1-1.

The Squeeze answered immediately in the bottom half of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Alex Galan (Lake-Sumter State) launched his second home run of the season to tie the game at 1-1.

Winter Garden took the lead in the third, and Galan once again played a key role. Wilfredo Soto (Lane) lined a double down the left-field line and later advanced to third. Galan followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Soto to score and giving the Squeeze a 2-1 advantage.

Sanford threatened in the fifth inning, loading the bases with one out against reliever Caleb Clanton (Santa Fe). Clanton induced consecutive groundouts to escape the jam and preserve the lead.

Moments later, severe weather moved into the area, forcing the game to be called after 5 1/2 innings and securing Winter Garden's first series victory of the 2026 season.

The Squeeze return to action Monday when they begin a two-game road series against the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Alfond Stadium on the campus of Rollins College.

Zach Moore (University of Florida)