Deland Holds Off Lake Howell

In a non-district game Thursday night, the Deland Bulldogs traveled down and faced host Lake Howell. It was as cold as possible in Orlando, and the wind really made a big impact in the game.

After a slow first inning for both teams, the second inning cracked the scoreboard with two runs for Deland (4-3). Right fielder Matt Sadlon started the team’s offense with a solo home run off the scoreboard in left field. Sadlon said

“I was waiting for that high fastball,” Sadlon said. “I saw it my first at-bat and took it. I knew that if it came again, I wasn’t going to miss it. It’s really cool hitting a home run, always.”

The third inning produced the same outing as the Bulldogs put up another two runs, then exploded for four runs in the top of the fourth.

Bulldogs third baseman Austin Huber went 2-for-2 with two walks and scored three runs. His efforts were noticed by many people, including the coaching staff from Lake Howell.

“I just want to help my team win,” Huber said. “I don’t care where I play and when I bat in the lineup. I just want to help this team win games.”

Bulldogs manager Micah Robinson was pleased with his team’s performance.

“I saw a lot of heart tonight. It was a great win to put us back in the win column,” Robinson stated. “I thought pitching was on tonight, and our bats came alive after the first. I’m very pleased before our ride back home.”

Although the Silver Hawks (2-6) only went with starting pitcher, Nick Cutillo, for two innings, they missed him on the mound for the rest of the night. An explosive Bulldog offense left the Silver Hawks in a hole too deep to climb out of. Garrett Green started a two-run rally in the bottom of the fourth. Shortstop Julio Carrion doubled after Green got on base with a single. Catcher Kevin Bermudez brought in both runs when he singled two batters later.

The Silver Hawks pushed across another run in the bottom of the fifth inning, but that was the last of their scoring. Both back-end bullpens were completely dominant. There was only one hit combined from both teams in the last two innings, leaving the Silver Hawks disappointed and looking for next week to get back in the win column.

Lake Howell manager Andy Lyon knows what his team needs to work on for next week.

“We’re in a position where we need to start winning some games,” Lyons said. “We need to find that extra ingredient that’s going to push us to a new level for the rest of this season. We are fighters and we are going to keep fighting.”

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