PHOTOS: Winter Garden Squeeze wins first series of the season

During its 2023 season opening series, the Winter Garden Squeeze overpowered the DeLand Suns 2-0: 4-3 in the first game Friday, June 2, and 7-6 in the second game Saturday, June 3. 

“So far I like our chemistry and I like our group of guys,” head baseball coach Mike McDaniel said. “I think we have had some upgrades in some spots and we are a little more athletic than we were a year ago. … We signed a lot more pitchers this year than we did last year because at the end of the year, they kind of fizzled out, so we made some adjustments in the roster and I feel like we have a better team so far.”

With 32 players in the roster, only seven are returners, making the only practice the team had prior to the opening game of the season crucial for the players to connect and get to know each other. 

“Guys are coming from all over the place, so logistically it’s hard to get them all here,” McDaniel said. “We just practice once the day before (because) there are still a couple of guys who are playing in regionals and a couple of guys who are wrapping up at school right now. Once they are done, they will be here as well.” 

Windermere resident and former MLB player Johnny Damon threw the first pitch of the game. The Squeeze will host the Leesburg Lightning at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4. 

“We expect to go out and compete, play every day and make the playoffs,” McDaniel said. “The expectation is to make the playoffs and once we get there, anything can happen.”