Squeeze Defeat Snappers Behind Two Longballs

ORLANDO, Fla. — After a three-hour lightning delay, the Winter Garden Squeeze (12-13) defeated the Orlando Snappers (11-12-1), 5-2, on Friday night at Orel Hershiser Field at The First Academy.

It didn't take long for Winter Garden's offense to get going. With two outs in the first inning, Alex Galan launched a solo home run over the left-center field wall to give the Squeeze a 1-0 lead.

Rylee Gibson turned in another strong outing for Winter Garden. The right-hander pitched five innings, allowing two runs while striking out two. Gibson now leads the Squeeze with 27 2/3 innings pitched this season.

Drew Kunz made the start for Orlando in his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last November. Aside from surrendering Galan's solo homer, Kunz worked a scoreless inning and struck out one. Collin Lock also made his debut for the Snappers, allowing two runs and striking out two over one inning.

The Squeeze added to their lead in the second inning. Leo Suarez singled with one out, and Colson May followed with a two-out single to right-center before stealing second to put runners on second and third. Cael Reish then delivered a two-run single into right-center, extending the lead to 3-0.

Winter Garden added another run in the third when Ayden Elixson led off the inning with a solo home run off Harrison Smith to make it 4-0.

The Squeeze capped their scoring in the fifth. Elixson opened the inning with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Carlos Fuenmayor, pushing the advantage to 5-0.

Orlando scored its only runs in the bottom of the fifth. Santiago Busot drew a full-count walk before catcher Johnathan Davilla, making his debut, lined a double down the left-field line to put runners on second and third. Davilla finished 2 for 3 in his first game with the Snappers.

Busot scored on a wild pitch by Gibson, and Davilla came home on Ty Kennedy's groundout to trim the deficit to 5-2.

Florida League All-Star reliever Kaden Howell recorded the final six outs, striking out four to secure the victory for Winter Garden.

The Squeeze will have the Fourth of July off before closing the regular season Sunday against the Leesburg Lightning (19-7). First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Horizon Park.

Zach Moore (University of Florida)