Official Website of the 2009 FCSL Champions

Lightning defeat Mavericks for first time

Sunday, June 14, 2009 6:50am

by: Laura Kubitz (Florida)

The Leesburg Lightning struck down their Lake County rival, the Clermont Mavericks, 7-2, to win their second game in a row.

Michael Albaladejo (Florida Atlantic) went two for five with three RBIs and Alex Hudek (Stetson) went two for four with a run scored and an RBI.

That RBI came when Danny Baatz (UNC-Asheville) got on first after a fielding error by short stop Joseph Burkhalter (Florida Atlantic), advanced to second on a walk and picked up momentum for Lightning stealing third. Baatz scored on Hudek's suicide squeeze.

The Lightning's momentum continued in the sixth inning scoring two more runs, putting them ahead, 5-2.

The Lightning are starting to put up runs on the board and not just from hitting the ball, but from improving on the execution of the game.

"Even when you aren't swinging the bats, they can do other parts of the game to help the team out, said Lightning manager Frank Viola." "We got a couple timely hits and that's why we won the ball game."

The Mavericks scored their only two runs of the game in the second inning.

The Lightning looked to step up their game and answer Clermont's two runs in the third inning. Nick DelGuidice's (Florida Atlantic) lead off single complimented Travis Howard's RBI-single to record the Lightning's first run of the game.

In the fourth inning, the Lightning struck again.

Stewart walked, stole second and plated after Albaladejo's single, to tie up the game.

The Lightning recorded two insurance runs in the eighth inning. John Michael Blake (Lake Sumter CC) advanced on a walk followed by Mark Stewart's (SCAD) powerful double put Blake in scoring position. Albaladejo's single plated Blake and Stewart, sealing the deal for the Lightning.

The Lightning will add three new players to the roster next week. Left Trae Gore (Florida Southern)will start off the lineup on Wednesday and the Lightning will welcome Eric Katzman to the pitching staff. Despite the new additons, everyone in the bullpen will continue to get a chance to contribute to each game.

"If your not starting, that doesn't mean your not going to be used," Viola said. "Everyone is gonna have a chance to pitch, everyone is gonna have a chance to help. Whoever happens to start, starts.

The Lightning will look to win their third game in a row when they take on the Mavericks on Sunday at 5 p.m. After taking Monday off, the Lightning will return to Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field on Tuesday to face the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs at 7 p.m.

"We are feeling pretty good about ourselves right now," Viola said.