FSN 66

FOLLOW US facebook.com\FloridaSportingNews - Twitter @FSNSportingNews FloridaSportingNews.com

Volume 2 • Issue 66

June 26- July 10 2018

ks

an Th

FR Ou

EE

To

tis

!

er

dv

rA

s

er

Summer League Baseball Continues To Heat Up!

Page 2 Florida Sporting News • 6/12/18 - 6/27/18

Seminole County Offense Breaks Through Against Winter Park Again in Thursday Victory

Coming into the game, Pablo Cedeno (Undecided) had his struggles in the box.

For five games, the former St. Johns River Viking was hitless.

But on Thursday, he broke through in a big way.

Cedeno’s 4-for-4 game was the pinnacle of a night that saw the Seminole County Scorpions offense break out the bats, as Seminole County bludgeoned the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, 11-5, at Sanford Memorial Stadium.

“I was all over my approach (at the plate) today,” Cedeno said. “Coming from struggling a couple of days ago to yesterday. Today I was just really hitting the ball and the approach I had today was something. It was just different.”

The offense was the spark in last night’s contest, with the Scorpions showing their muscle most of the game. Seminole County had 15 hits compared to the Dawgs’ seven, as the 3-8 hitters for the Scorpions went 12-for-22 on Thursday night.A six-run fourth inning gave the Scorpions the lead as they never relinquished it again. Free passes to the first three hitters of the inning set the Scorpions up for their biggest frame in recent memory. Following a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch that allowed Fausto Lo-

pez (Pensacola State) to score from third, the bats did the rest of the work.

Paxton Rigby (Georgia Tech), Cedeno and Will Acuff (Alabama Huntsville) contributed the rest of the RBIs in the fourth.

Cade Davenport (Undecided) came on in relief and collected his second win of the season, while Kyle Brana (Undecided), Chris Campbell (McNeese State) and Mathew Oset (U of New Orleans) finished the job for Seminole County. The four relief pitchers combined for six innings of three-hit ball and only one walk.

“(Tonight) felt awesome,” Cedeno said.

“It feels better coming back to the dugout “We battled and our pitchers kept us in and your teammates going crazy. You’re the game,” Stowell said. “They threw having fun out there and doing great strikes, our hitters put the ball in play and things. It was crazy.” took advantage of baserunners.”

In addition to Cedeno’s night, Rigby has The Scorpions will continue their series arguably his best game at the plate as against Winter Park on Friday for the well. Thursday’s designated hitter went second game of the three-game set on 3-for-5 and upped his batting average the road. Saturday will feature another near .300. road game at Bishop Moore as the Scor“It’s nice to see the end results,” coach Steve Stowell said. “Pablo and Paxton went into it thinking ‘I’m just gonna hit like I know how to.’ That’s why they’re in the lineup everyday.”

On the mound, apart from the top of the third inning, the Scorpions played a near-perfect game. During the imperfect frame, the Diamond Dawgs (8-11) plated their only five runs in the contest and had four of their seven hits.After that, the pitching staff took the reigns and guided the Scorps to their seventh win of the season.

pions look to build their momentum from Thursday night’s win.

5/29/18 - 6/12/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 3

Suns Roll to 13-3 Victory over Sanford The DeLand Suns scored 13 runs in a three inning span, and rolled to a 13-3 victory in seven innings over the Sanford River Rats at Melching Field.

The victory marked the second run-shortened triumph for the Suns over the Rats this season, and the Suns’ eleventh win matched the team’s total from a year ago.

The Suns fell behind initially, trailing 1-0 was provided by Josh Crouch (State Colsecond home run of the season.

to the Rats after an inning of play. The Sanford run lege of Florida), who cleared the left field wall for his

DeLand took control of the contest in claim a 3-1 lead. In his first start back in the frame with a single. After a sacrifice McFalls (Winthrop) drove in his teammate on a Sanford error, and Geordon Blanton two-run lead to the Suns.

the bottom of the third inning, scoring three runs to the DeLand lineup, Nick DeTringo (Tampa) started bunt and a wild pitch moved DeTringo to third, Scout with an RBI single. McFalls would eventually score (Marshall) came across on a wild pitch to provide a

Three more runs were plated by the Suns in the bottom of the fourth, increasing the DeLand lead to 6-1. Singles by Kyle Ball (Stetson) and Josh Dunson (Alabama State) set up DeTringo for a two-run double with one out in the frame. After singles from Jarrett Backus (Lake Sumter) and McFalls, Blanton drove in his first run of the game with a grounder to the second baseman.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Suns put the game away with seven runs. Chris Burgess (Middle Georgia) started the action with a triple, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ball. The Suns then loaded the bases on a Joe Burke (Kentucky Wesleyan) single and two walks. Burke scored on an RBI walk from Backus, and a wild pitch and a two-run double from McFalls cleared the bases. Two more wild pitches provided the final two runs of the game for the Suns.

Page 4 Florida Sporting News • 6/12/18 - 6/27/18

Dawgs Fall to Scorpions 11-5 SANFORD, Fla (June 28, 2018) – Another interesting game unfolded between the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs and the Seminole County Scorpions on Thursday night. Seminole County won the contest at home by a score of 11-5. Of the three games these two teams have played this season, this was the closest in terms of margin of victory.

Prior to Thursday night, Wintwo games decided by blowScorpions taking a victory at following night, the Diamond dominating the Scorpions 14-3

ter Park and Seminole County had outs. The first matchup featured the Sanford Memorial Stadium 13-6. The Dawgs mercy-ruled Seminole County, in seven innings.

This game told a different story out to a three run lead in the secDawgs to answer with five of Winter Park is normally quiet in they had only scored three runs

in the beginning. The Scorpions pulled ond inning, but only for the Diamond their own in the top of the third inning. the third inning, as through 18 games total in the third frame.

The third inning was the only time the Diamond Dawgs showcased offense in Thursday night’s loss.

The game did show positive signs in the heart of the Winter Park order though, as Brian Ellis (FGCU), Jacob Teter (Florida Southern) and Christian Snow (Mobile) all hit balls extremely hard for base hits in the third inning. Ellis’ base knock brought in two runs for Winter Park, while Teter and Snow both had RBI singles to follow Ellis. Teter also hit a towering fly ball that missed becoming a home run by a couple of feet, as it landed on the warning track as the left fielder lost the ball in the lights. If Teter had straightened the ball out a little more, the ball would have been long gone.

The momentum was lost almost immediately though, as the Scorpions scratched a run across in the bottom of the inning to trail the Diamond Dawgs 5-4. The next inning, Seminole County exploded for six runs stemming from four lead off walks, and the rest was history. The Scorpions would add one more run in the fifth inning to seal an 11-5 win.

“We lost command there and it hurt us,” said Winter Park pitching coach Jim Newlin, “In those middle innings we need zeros on the board, especially getting back in the game with a five spot. We failed to keep the momentum on our side tonight.”

Alex Jackson (Wichita State) reached base three of four times tonight, extending his on base streak to 13 games. Jackson and Aaron Anderson of the Winter Garden Squeeze are both tied for the longest on base streaks this season with Wes Weeks of the Leesburg Lightning. Jackson and Anderson’s streaks are still active; Weeks ended his streak of 13 consecutive games on base on June 23.

AJ Chacon is on the mound for the Diamond Dawgs as they take on the Scorpions in Winter Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. Friday opens up a three game home stand for the Diamond Dawgs, as they play Seminole County on back to back nights before opening up a three game set with the Winter Garden Squeeze, resuming the “Winter War.”

5/29/18 - 6/12/18 • Florida Sporting News

No Mercy in Leesburg; Winter Garden Falls 10-0 WINTER GARDEN, Fla (June 28 2018) – The Winter Garden Squeeze took to the road on Thursday night, and fell to Leesburg Lightning, 10-0.

Leesburg shortstop Tanner May (UNF) hit a grand slam in the bottom of the second that set the mood for the rest The Squeeze weren’t able to do much of the game, and the of anything, with Lightning starting Lightning ran off with pitcher Robert Kwiakowski (Sparthe win after the top of tanburg Methodist) pitching five out the seventh, due to the of the seven innings, striking out six 10-run rule.

Squeeze batters, and allowing no runs.

While Thursdau night was not the ideal Michael D’Emo (Palm Beach State) start to the series, the started on the mound for Winter GarSqueeze will host the den, while Jonathan Elicier (NewberLightning both Friday ry), Logan Sabo (Montevallo) and and Saturday night at 6 Mikey Giordano (Boston College) p.m. at Heller Brothers pitched throughout the night as well.

Ballpark, and head to Winter Park Sunday at Winter Garden was unable to score 5 p.m., to take on the the whole duration of the game, and Diamond Dawgs (8-11). the team only totaled three hits total; two from Marcus Begg (Webber International) and one from Reeder Smith (Troy).

Page 5

Page 6 Florida Sporting News • 6/12/18 - 6/27/18

Lightning Near Flawless in 10-0 Win Over Winter Garden Leesburg, FL – Great pitching, lights out hitting and strong defense is just about all you can ask for in a baseball game, and the Leesburg Lightning (15-2) had it all in their dominant 10-0 win over the Winter Garden Squeeze (8-11).

“The kind of offense that we’re putting together, the pitching that we got tonight, the defense, just playing solid baseball,” Lightning head coach Rich Billings said when asked if an all-around win like tonight’s was what he wanted to epitomize “Lightning baseball”. “I definitely think that’s what I would like our fans to be able to know that they’re going to get when they show up here.”The Lightning raced out to an early lead and never looked back, starting with six runs through the first two innings.

Tanner May (North Florida), fresh off his walk-off home run last night against DeLand, drove in two runs

in the bottom of the first with an RBI single after Walker McCleney (Alabama) and Luke Brown (Western Kentucky) both reached base without recording a hit, Brown on an error and McCleney on a hitby-pitch.Tanner May was far from done, however. With a 2-0 lead already in place in the bottom of the second, May stepped up to the plate

with the bases loaded and didn’t miss a beat. One swing of the bat gave Leesburg a 6-0 lead as May launched a grand slam to almost the exact same spot in left-center field that he hit his walk-off shot just 24 hours earlier. The North Florida

product, who came into the game tied with teammate Jay Prather (North Florida) for second in the league with 14 RBIs, had already accounted for six more through his first two at-bats of the night.Lightning starting pitcher Robert Kwiatkowski (Spartanburg Methodist) did a great job of keeping the Winter Garden bats quiet while his offense gave him a big lead.

Kwiatkowski left the game in favor of Aaron Simple (Flagler) in the sixth inning with 5 2/3 innings pitched, three walks, six strikeouts and no runs allowed on two hits.

Kwiatkowski would end up earning the win after Leesburg added one run in the fifth and three more in the sixth to secure a 10-0 lead. The game ended after seven innings due to league mercy rules (10+ run lead after 7 innings)

after Aaron Simple shut down the Winter Garden offense in the top of the seventh.

5/29/18 - 6/12/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 7

Lightning Sneak Past Suns in Extras The DeLand Suns could not finish off the Leesburg Lightning on Wednesday night, giving up runs in the ninth and tenth innings in a 1210 loss at Pat Thomas Stadium. The Suns outhit the Lightning 17-13 in the losing effort.

DeLand got on the board first, striking for two runs in the top of the first inning. Singles from Trent Taylor (Daytona State) and Jarrett Backus (Lake Sumter) led off the innings, and an RBI groundout from Scout McFalls (Winthrop) and a sacrifice fly from Brayden Sisson (Kentucky Wesleyan) gave the Suns the early 2-0 edge.

The Lightning got those two runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning. A one-out single from Wes Weeks (North Florida) and a sacrifice fly from JaKobi Dasher (Flagler) evened the score at two after four innings.

One big hit allowed the Suns to retake the lead in the top of the fifth. With the bases loaded and two hits, Chris Burgess (Middle Georgia) drilled a bases-clearing double, one of his five trips on base on Wednesday. The double gave the Suns a 5-2 lead.

Leesburg answered with three runs of their own, again evening the score. All three runs in the frame were unearned, crossing the plate on a dropped third strike and a DeLand throwing error.

In the see-saw contest, the top of the sixth. Geordon double with one out in the second base. Leesburg then the bottom of the sixth,

Suns retook the lead in the Blanton (Marshall) clubbed a frame, scoring Backus from responded with three runs in taking an 8-6 lead.

Once again, the Suns were three times in the top of the with a two-out RBI single, lead with a single of his

able to retake the lead, scoring seventh. McFalls tied the game and Sisson gave DeLand the own.

Two walks and a double allowed the Lightning to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth, putting the tying run on third and the winning run on second. After a walk to Tanner Clark (North Florida) tied the game, DeLand reliever Mason Groves (Winthrop) induced two strikeouts and a fielder's choice to send the game into extra innings.

The Suns got a run in the top of the tenth in the international tiebreaker. With Matt Mulkey (Winthrop) as the runner, Kyle Ball clubbed a single to give DeLand a 10-9 lead.

Page 8 Florida Sporting News • 6/12/18 - 6/27/18

Dawgs Dominate Rats with Big 5th Inning, Win 13-0 WINTER PARK, Fla. (June 27, the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs Bishop Moore High School, as they of 13-0 in seven innings.

Despite the location, the Diaas Wednesday’s game was a make-up to have the River Rats as the home to scheduling conflicts, the game was

2018) – For the second time this season, forced a mercy rule on their opponent at defeated the Sanford River Rats by a score mond Dawgs were actually the road team, from opening day which was supposed team in Sanford Memorial Stadium. Due played in Winter Park.

With the Diamond Dawgs wearing their home whites, they jumped on the board in the top of the third inning by going up 1-0. Chandler Robertson (UCF) would pick up one of his three RBI’s on the night in that inning as he drove in Jeff Korte (Illinois) who got on to start the inning with a leadoff walk.

Korte would get on with a base hit to start off the top of the fifth, in what would be a nine run inning for Winter Park. The Diamond Dawgs sent 13 men to the plate in the inning, 12 of which reached consecutively. Two outs in the inning came on the base paths, while the third was a ground ball to end the inning.Just in the nine-run fifth alone, Jacob Teter (Florida Southern) and Chandler Robertson drove in two runs each, while Alex Jackson (Wichita State), Hunter Phillips (Alabama State), Jeff Korte and Abraham Sequera (UNF) all would earn an RBI in the inning.

Winter Park had a similar inning back on June 19 on the road against Sanford. It was an inning that saw them put up eight runs and take a commanding 8-1 lead. Through Winter Park’s 18 games so far, they have put up 28 runs in the fifth inning. Of those 28 runs, the Diamond Dawgs have scored 17 in the last two games against Sanford, meaning in 16 other games, Winter Park had only put 11 runs in the fifth inning combined.

Alex Jackson extended his on base streak to 12 games by going 2-for-5 on the night. This is an impressive number because that is the same amount of games that Jackson has played for the Diamond Dawgs. He has been on base every game so far since joining the team a few games into the season and has been of tremendous value to the team.

“He gives us speed in our lineup and he’s athletic,” said Chuck Schall, manager of the Diamond Dawgs, “He’s an unselfish guy and he’s starting to get real comfortable in the field at shortstop.”

Winter Park would add three more runs in the sixth inning, as Korte drove in another run and Sequera added two more, pushing the game to its final score of 13-0.

The Diamond Dawgs really only needed one run to beat the River Rats, as Winter Park earned their first shutout of the season. They can thank JP Williams (Undecided) for the goose egg in the run column as he was fantastic. He pitched six innings for the Diamond Dawgs and struck out six, while carrying a perfect game into the fifth inning.

“He was in complete command of all his pitches, he kept his pitch count down and attacked hitters,” said Winter Park pitching coach Jim Newlin, “They didn’t take many good swings on him so you know he had good stuff.”

Williams ended up only allowing two hits on the night. The Diamond Dawgs staff look to start Williams again in the future and maybe make him part of their starting rotation.

In the seventh, Hunter Connor came in to seal the victory with three straight strikeouts of his own. No walks would be issued by either Winter Park pitcher on the night. The only blunder was Williams hitting a batter.

Tyler Self (Alabama Huntsville) will get the nod as Thursday’s starting pitcher. In the two starts he has had, Self is 1-1 with six strikeout.

SERVING ALL OF HURRICANE IRMA RELIEF FAMILIES FOR THE LOCAL ORLANDO AREA

5/29/18 - 6/12/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 9

Rats Fall to Diamond Dawgs in Seven Innings WINTER PARK, Fla – The Rats and Diamond Dawgs made up the opening-night rainout on Wednesday and Sanford’s offense was stifled, falling 13-0 to Winter Park in seven innings at Bishop Moore High School. The Rats dropped to 7-11 on the year.

“We have to come out tomorhead coach Scott Makarewicz season where players can get streak.”

row and be ready to play,” Rats’ said. “This is the time of the hot, hopefully we can start a win

It was the quietest the Sanford the Rats finished with just two Logullo (FIU) tallied one and knocked through the other. of the game.

offense has been this season, as hits in the run-rule contest. Matt Ryan Brewer (Pensacola State) Both hits came in the fifth inning

Winter Park starter JP Wilthe fifth inning. After some the designated hitter role and required to hit for himself. first at-bat since his junior year two strikes.

liams held a perfect-game bid into defensive shuffling, the Rats lost the relief pitcher Logullo was Logullo dug into the box for his of high school and promptly took

Then, he shortened his swing and poked through a soft line-drive single through the right side of the infield to end the perfect-game and no-hit bids. However, Logullo’s single marked half of the Rats’ offense on the night.

On the mound, four different arms saw action for the River Rats. Jeremy Orbik (Stetson) made his first true start of the season for Sanford and tossed four strong innings. The right-hander gave up just one run yielding only three hits.

The Diamond Dawgs struck for nine runs in the fifth inning, opening up a 10-0 lead and they would eventually work to a 13-0 final score. The River Rats are back in action Thursday night on the road in DeLand. First pitch against the Suns at Conrad Park is slated for 7 p.m.

Page 10 Florida Sporting News • 6/12/18 - 6/27/18

From the Bottom to a 3-Seed, Squeeze Climb WINTER GARDEN, Fla (June 27 2018) – After coming off a hot start to the week, the Winter Garden Squeeze continued its run and beat the Seminole County Scorpions, 13-5.

Jordan Morrow (College of Central Florida) was the starting pitcher for the Squeeze, followed by Chase Pilato (Florida Southern) and Will Carnley (Troy), who held the Scorpions to five runs.

“I tried to be one step ahead of the batter, and that really worked for me tonight” Morrow stated, “This was my first start as a pitcher is quite a while, and getting those strikeouts right off the bat was a huge confidence boost.” Morrow pitched four innings with four strikeouts.

That’s just what Winter Garden needed, a boost of confidence to start, and that was reflected after last night’s performance.

With a total of 13 runs, the Squeeze scored every inning except for the seventh.

Both Pablo Cabrera (Florida Southern) and Adams Torres (UCF) hit homeruns; with Torres snagging the game MVP, going 2-4, two runs, three RBIs, and two stolen bases.

“Personally, I’ve been struggling these past few games, so honestly, all I tried to do was focus on what I usually do, and tonight things started to come back together.”

Torres said postgame.

Aaron Anderson (Flagler) shows no signs of slowing down either. Winter Garden’s first baseman went 2-4, scored three times, and drove in an RBI. He hit over .400 for the fourth game in a row, and his season average now stands at .441.

Luke Reidy (Rollins), Sadler Goodwin (Troy), and Michael Cullen (Chipola) are also among top performers for Winter Garden.

Seminole County was able to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth with back to back doubles; and two runs in the final inning, with a concluding score of 13-5.

WINTER GARDEN 3310 Daniels Rd Winter Garden, FL

407-877-3744

From starting the season off at the bottom of the ranks, the Squeeze have climbed up the ladder to clinch the 3-seed, with a record of 8-10-1. They will take the road Thursday June 28, to Leesburg to start the series against the Lightning, who are 14-2; after the Scorpions defeated them 5-1 few nights prior, to cut their winning streak of 13 in a row.

Winter Garden will return home Friday and Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Heller Brothers Ballpark to close the series.

5/29/18 - 6/12/18 • Florida Sporting News

Page 11

Scorps Drop Game Against Squeeze What happened Ones and twos. Those numerals lit the empty boxes on the top half of the scoreboard on Wednesday night. The Scorpions (6-11) sat on the bottom half.

Once the night was over, was lit up on the scorethe hands of the Winter 1).

Seminole County’s loss board, a 13-5 defeat at Garden Squeeze (8-10-

Winter Garden domifrom start to finish. final out, consistency take the ballgame. In seventh, Winter Garden and never went down in

nated Seminole County From first pitch to the helped the Squeeze every inning except the scored at least one run order.

As for the Scorpions, spurts. While trailing 7-0 ons made things interestreached base, Will Acuff drove in those runners center. To follow, Fausto laced a double deep to line. Acuff would score would cut the deficit to four.

the offense came out in in the fourth, the Scorpiing. After two runners (Alabama Huntsville) with an RBI double to Lopez (Pensacola State) right field down the foul from second as the duo

But Winter Garden’s offense and relief pitching would be too much for the Scorps to overcome.

Chase Pilato threw four scoreless innings following the Scorpions three-run fourth inning, giving up only two hits to the Scorps offense.

But Seminole Country wouldn’t go down without a fight. Trace Thornal (Valdosta State) ripped a two-RBI single to right-center field for his third hit of the night and cut the lead to the final score.

Coach Stowell’s Thoughts “We kept battling even in the ninth inning. Having yesterday off and getting some pitchers in that have barely pitched this year, it was a good opportunity but we have a big series against Winter Park this weekend and looking forward to being back (in Sanford) tomorrow.”

Upcoming The Scorpions will now have to reset and prepare for a Winter Park team that annihilated the Sanford River Rats, 13-0, on Wednesday. Seminole County will host the Diamond Dawgs on Thursday before playing two games at Bishop Moore High School for the rest of the weekend.

Page 12 Florida Sporting News • 6/12/18 - 6/27/18