Sanford Falls to DeLand After Rough Outing

DELAND, Fla. (June 5, 2011) - The Sanford River Rats fell to the DeLand Suns 6-5 after the Suns rallied for a four-run seventh inning in DeLand Sunday night.

Sanford reliever Steven Chaffee (Wingate) was on the mound for two-thirds of that seventh, and took the loss.“Our pitching staff did another great job tonight, but one inning sometimes can make or break you,” River Rats Head Coach Steve Piercefield said. “Chaffee located pitches, but they put great swings on them. They swung the bats well so a lot of credit goes to DeLand for sticking to their approach.”

DeLand catcher Galen Smith (Cleveland State CC) hit a double to start the Suns’ seventh. Centerfielder Stephen Bellantoni (USC-Aiken) singled, followed by another single from JT Warmoth (Embry-Riddle) that scored Smith. Shortstop Aaron Silbar (Columbia) hit DeLand’s third consecutive single before Andre Colon (St. Thomas) hit a two-RBI double to put the Suns up by one, a deficit that Sanford could not overcome.

Andre’s twin brother Steven Colon (St. Thomas) was on the mound for DeLand and picked up the win. Dane Stone (St. Thomas) earned the save for the Suns, striking out the last two Sanford batters.

“Our game plan offensively was the same approach we’re going to take most of the year: whatever they’re going to give us, we’re going to take,” Piercefield said. “Whether that’s a bunt hit, hit and run, or a stolen base.”

The small ball plan was evident Sunday. TJ Gavlick (North Florida) laid down a sacrifice bunt in the second, and Ryan Woodrey’s (Nova Southeastern) bunt in the fifth turned into a safe trip to first on an error by DeLand’s pitcher.

“Our guys have really bought in to playing small ball,” Piercefield said. “It’s tough to defend, and we’re always trying to put pressure on the defense. The guys did a great job of it today: we scored five runs. Typically that’s enough to win ballgames.”

It wasn’t all dink-and-dunk, however. Austin Liput (USC Upstate) hit a two-RBI triple in the fifth to give the Rats a 4-2 lead.

“Tuesday we’re going to go out and we’re going to battle again,” Piercefield said. “Good teams are always put in these situations. It’s a matter of learning from them so that the next time they present themselves it’s second nature and we come through with the big inning.”

Sanford’s next contest on Tuesday, June 7 is a rematch at Historic Sanford Memorial Park between the River Rats and Winter Haven Loggerheads set for 7 p.m.