It was a battle of Class 5A District 8 foes as the Dunedin Falcons travelled to Land O'Lakes to face the Sunlake Seahawks. Although Dunedin stood tied for first in the district with a record of 11-3, Sunlake came into Friday night's game with confidence after having beaten the Falcons 3-1 in their first matchup of the season on March 3rd.
This matchup showcased two dual-threat pitchers whose numbers at the plate rivaled those on the mound. For Sunlake it was Senior RHP Alex Anderson, who took the hill, coming into the night with a 1.94 ERA and a 2-1 record. Dunedin sent out one of their three aces in Senior RHP Tim Luth, with an impressive 6-1 record and 1.08 ERA entering the night.
For Sunlake and Anderson it was a night of highs and lows. Dunedin got started early with a run in the top of the first inning, and tacked on four more runs in a breakout top of the 2nd, to take a 5-0 lead into the Bottom of the 2nd. But Sunlake answered back with their biggest inning of the night scoring four runs of their own and bringing the game within one run, 5-4. But it would end there for the Seahawks as Luth and Falcons reliever Ryan Deeley closed out the game without allowing another Sunlake run to score, and Dunedin would go on to win 9-4.
It was a highlight filled night thanks in part to BHSN Player of the Game - Dunedin Catcher Justin Glover. Glover, who had sparked a rally Thursday night in an extra innings victory over Cleawater, was the catalyst for yet another win Friday going 4-for-4 with four RBI and two doubles. Glover made it look effortless as he doubled in the first to score the first run of the game, and helped to put the game out of reach with a two-Run double in the 2nd. Sunlake's Alex Anderson had the surprise highlights of the night, but they came once he left the mound and moved into center field. Anderson flashed back-to-back, incredible, diving catches in the outfield to end the inning and invigorate his team.
After this high-scoring hit-fest both Dunedin and Sunlake can head into their district tournament knowing they have the talent and ability to compete with anyone in class 5A district 8. For now both teams will shift their focus to their next opponents, Dunedin is set to face Osceola on Monday and Sunlake travels to Wesley Chapel on Tuesday night.
For a complete recap and highlights of the game click on the link to the right.