Orange Observer: High 5 — Thursday, July 1

1. The Dr. Phillips Little League 9-  to- 11-year-old All-Stars dispatched Lake Wales in an 18-0 win to claim the Section 5 championship Saturday, June 26, at Union Park Little League. With the big win, the Dr. Phillips 9-11 team advances to the State Championships in DeFuniak Springs. Along with DPLL’s big win, the 10U and 12U Windermere softball teams also advanced to states following sectional championships.
 

2. The Winter Garden Squeeze slipped by the Leesburg Lightning in a 1-0 win Saturday, June 26. A big part of the win for the Squeeze was a solid outing from pitchers Michael Ross and Jordan Winston. Ross struck out five and allowed only four hits through full five innings, while Winston struck out three while allowing only one hit in two innings of work. At the plate, Bryce Jackson led the way, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
 

3. Olympia High alumnus and Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker helped push his team to a 4-1 win over the Braves Saturday, June 26. In the victory, Winker went 1-for-3 with a homer in the bottom of the first inning — his 18th home run of the season.
 

4. A pair of senior Foundation Academy Lions football players announced big news last weekend as defensive linemen Reggie Jean and Donovan Branch committed to continue their football careers post high school at the University of Connecticut.
 

5. Olympia High alumnus and current Minnesota Twins shortstop Nick Gordon had a solid showing in an 8-7 win over the Cleveland Indians Friday, June 25. In the victory, Gordon went 2-for-4 while scoring a run himself. So far this season, Gordon has a .333 batting average, one home run and two RBIs in 45 at-bats.