Sanford Rolls to First Home Win

Read this at the FCSL website.

SANFORD, Fla. (June 9, 2011) – The Sanford River Rats defeated the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs 6-3 for their first win of the season at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium Thursday night.

"Anytime you're at home, you want to put on a show for the fans," River Rats Head Coach Steve Piercefield said. "We played the same game we have all year and tonight the ball fell on our side."

Sanford (2-4) starting pitcher Brandon Cowan (Lincoln Memorial) earned the win after pitching into the seventh, walking just one and striking out four.

"He did a great job locating the ball and was really able to take control of each at-bat."

Winter Park's (4-2) Drew Packard (Villanova) took the loss, pitching just 3 1/3 innings and allowing three runs.

Kevin Gude (Polk State College) came in to relieve Packard in the fourth and pitched effectively, striking out five and walking none.

Despite that, Gude has the dubious distinction of allowing Sanford's first home run of the season, a solo shot to right center from centerfielder Alex Mendez (South Florida) in the fifth, to make it 4-0 for the Rats.

"I felt I barreled it up pretty good," Mendez said. "It was a 3-0 pitch, and he put it right where I like it. We talk about getting the pitch that you like and I just capitalized on it."

"His homer kind of set the tone a little bit," Piercefield said.

Mendez figures into an interesting note defensively: Winter Park second baseman Michael Reed (Auburn) was 0-4, with all four of his outs coming on fly balls to Mendez.

"I had no idea about that one," Mendez said with a laugh.

Sanford allowed Winter Park three total runs in the sixth and seventh to cut their lead, 4-3, but a three-hit, two-run seventh for Sanford in which eight batters made plate appearances ended the game's scoring.

Robert Stegbauer (Lincoln Memorial) came to the mound to close the ninth for Sanford, but it wasn't easy.

With the bases loaded, Winter Park second baseman Todd Hankins (Seminole State College) blasted a long ball to left field that just curved foul.

"In the book, it's a long strike," Piercefield said. "It could’ve changed the game, but it didn't seem to affect Stegbauer."

After a mound visit from Piercefield to remind Stegbauer he was in control, he struck Hankins out swinging.

"We're going to put it right back on tomorrow and just play our game," Piercefield said looking forward.

The River Rats host the Leesburg Lightning for the final two games of a three-game home stint Friday and Saturday. Both games are scheduled to start at 7pm.

"Being at home definitely provides an advantage with our crowd. We've got great fans and great support," Piercefield said.