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Freedom Win on Father's Day

Monday, June 20, 2011 12:26am

The Lightning fell for the second straight night Sunday against the Orlando Freedom 7-1. The first pitches of the game were thrown out by three generations of the Durham family. Lightning slugger Chase Durham, along with his father and grandfather, got the Father’s Day festivities started at Pat Thomas Stadium. However, the story of the game was Freedom pitcher Garrett Nuss.

Nuss was impervious through his six innings of work. The only trouble he had all game was in the third inning where he worked himself out of a bases loaded jam in the third inning, allowing the only run he would give up on the night. He had eight strikeouts and scattered seven hits, all inopportune singles. The command on his pitches was impeccable as he threw a 12-6 curveball that would have fooled some Major Leaguers. His fastball has been clocked in the low 90’s and he was drafted in the later rounds of last week’s MLB Draft by the Yankees. The 18 year old showed why he is a top high school prospect in the country, throwing only 85 pitches through six innings.

For the second night in a row, Leesburg outhit their opponent, but pitching woes got the best of the Lightning. Starter Andrew White was chased from the game in the second inning after giving up five runs, all in the second inning. White lost command of his pitches early in the game and never recovered. He gave up three walks and then a single and a double before leaving the game, but the damage was already done.

The lone bright spot on the game came from the two newcomers to the team. Catcher Mike Miller and reliever Patrick Hicks just arrived in Leesburg a few days ago from Dallas Baptist after their school was bounced from the College World Series, but not before upsetting some prominent Universities on the way. Miller had a pair of singles and threw out a couple would-be base stealers. Hicks came on in relief of White and was solid through his three innings on the mound.

The game exploded in the fifth inning after a series of questionable calls. First baseman Zane Evans came up to bat in a good hitting situation with runners on and was called out on strikes on a ball that seemed to extend the outside black by an extra foot. Evans argued the call but was tossed after drawing a line in the dirt with his bat. Manager Dave Therneau came in defense of Evans and was irate about the call, and he too, found himself tossed out of the game. Suspensions from the fallout are pending, however a league official pointed out that under league mandates, Evans will likely serve a one game sentence.

The Lightning never recovered from the early deficit and the Freedom closed out the game. The last place Freedom were starved for a win and Sunday’s victory represents just their second win on the season.

The Lightning have a day off Monday, then return to Pat Thomas Stadium on Tuesday to face the Sanford River Rats at 7:00

By: Nick Beardi (Medaille College)