Winter Park Dawgs, Sanford Rats fall in semifinals

Two shocking finishes led to one odd finish to the Florida Collegiate Summer League season, with the Sanford River Rats and Winter Park Diamond Dawgs both falling just short of a shot at the championship.

The River Rats had trouble all season putting together a solid record, but in the final week, they came alive, winning two of three playoff games en route to a finale against league leader Leesburg. Monday’s game was looking to be a pitchers’ duel until midway through the fourth, small ball turned into the first run of the game for Leesburg.

After that they ran away with it to end the game 5-1 and end the Rats’ season in one night.

For Winter Park on Tuesday, a sure win fell apart after seemingly dominating the DeLand Suns through seven innings, leaving runners stranded in repeated bases-loaded situations. With a 3-1 lead heading into the eighth inning, the Dawgs seemingly had things sewn up.

Two wild innings later, the score was 8-7 and the Dawgs’ season was over, courtesy of a series of rallies by both teams that culminated in the most important runs of the game being scored on bases-loaded walks.

Thursday night at press time the Suns met the Lightning in the championship at Tropicana Field. Visit www.seminolevoice.com for updates.