Squeeze top Altamonte Springs in 2015 opener, 2-1

WINTER GARDEN — The Winter Garden Squeeze amassed four errors and tallied just three hits in their home opener on June 5 against the Altamonte Springs Boom — but the Squeeze nonetheless found a way to start the season with a win.

After a lengthy weather delay pushed the start time of the opener at Heller Bros. Ballpark back to 8:30 p.m. from 7 p.m., Winter Garden (1-0) took advantage of several walks in the bottom of the fifth inning to score the two runs it would need to secure a 2-1 victory.

The win coincided with the debut of Ed Taubensee as manager for the Squeeze.

"Obviously, a win is a win no matter how you get it," Taubensee said. "Going into opening night, the pitchers are going to be ahead of the hitters and that's really what happened."

Where Winter Garden's bats never truly came alive and the defense had a few mistakes, the pitching for the Squeeze was a bright spot. Ian Doughty (New Mexico J.C.) got the start, tossing four scoreless innings before being relieved by Taylor Knight (Alabama A&M). Knight was credited with the win for his two innings of work before being relieved by Ben Link (Brewton-Parker College).

D'andre Knight (Seminole State) earned the save with two innings of scoreless work that saw him strike out four hitters for the Boom.

"I was proud of our pitchers — even when we put in situations where we were playing with fire, they stayed focus and they made (the right) pitches," Taubensee said.

The Squeeze return to action on June 6 on the road, again against Altamonte Springs (0-1).

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].