Official Website of the 2009 FCSL Champions

Dawgs Outlast Lightning in Dramatic Split

Tuesday, July 26, 2011 10:16pm

 

Coming off a huge defeat of the Diamond Dawgs Monday night, the Leesburg Lightning looked to make it two in a row as they hosted Winter Park for a second straight night on Tuesday.

In a pitching duel, the Dawgs outlasted the Lightning, winning 1-0.

Ethan Bader got the nod to make a spot start, his first of the season. He showed immediately why the coaches trusted in him in such an important game when he didn’t allow a hit through the first four innings.

Bader lasted seven innings and struck out seven while only surrendering three hits and one run.

In the sixth inning, Ted Blackman scored the only run of the game when he was hit by a Bader fastball and was advanced to second and then third on sacrifices. A single by Austin Chubb plated Blackman and despite Leesburg’s best efforts, that would be all that Winter Park would need.

Diamond Dawgs starter Ben Brown was just as successful and would pitch into the ninth inning. The Lightning scattered six hits off of the starter, but in the end couldn’t put any runs together.

Both starters did a fantastic job in what was an extremely well played game for both sides. Leesburg outhit the Dawgs 7-3, but the run column is the one that matters and Blackman’s run in the sixth sealed the deal for Winter Park.

The ninth inning was by far the most dramatic of the season so far. After closer Max Rusch set down the side in the top half, Leesburg came to bat trying to bring just one guy around to tie the game. Mike Albaladejo led off with a single and Tom Sicking followed his lead on the next pitch punching a ball through the infield. With two on, Hunter Mayfield laid down a bunt, but right in front of the catcher and Albaladejo was thrown out trying for third.

Brown was removed from the game after an outstanding performance on a stress filled night. His replacement was Winter Park closer Chris Waltermire who came in and faced off against Chase Durham with two on and one out.

Durham took a hack at the first pitch and popped out to the catcher, putting the pressure on Chris Coburn to come through. Coburn hit a slow roller to short and the shortstop wisely held on to the ball allowing the speedy Coburn to reach first and the bases were loaded.

The newest member of the Lightning John Beary stepped to the plate in the biggest spot for any Leesburg hitter this year and had a memorable final at bat. After fouling off a few pitches, he worked a full count as the Leesburg faithful came to their feet and prayed for a walk or a hit. A nice pitch by Waltermire on the inside corner closed the door and the two teams split the two game set.

Leesburg is still ahead by a game and a half and with another showdown against Winter Park scheduled for Friday night at home, players on both sides will surely be on their toes.

The Lightning are away the next two days, playing in Sanford on Wednesday and at Orlando on Thursday. Leesburg has been successful against both teams so far, and hold their fate in their own hands in the final few games of the regular season.

By: Nick Beardi (Medaille College)