Official Website of the 2009 FCSL Champions

Rats topple Lightning on record setting night

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 7:01am

By: Laura Kubitz

SANFORD- The Sanford River Rats toppled the Leesburg Lightning, 10-8, to end the regular season for both teams.

The River Rats rotated through six pitchers and the Lightning went through seven, but it was Nick Wilson (Lake Sumter CC) who got the win pitching three and two third innings, striking out two and allowing one hit.

Mark Stewart (SCAD) left his mark in the Florida Collegiate Summer League record book by being the first to play every position on the diamond. Stewart started out at second, moved to second, went to first in the third inning, caught in the fourth, moved to center field in the fifth, went to right field and pitched in the sixth, moved to left field in the seventh and to third base in the eighth.

In the first, Michael Dufek (Michigan) singled to right field and advanced to second on another Nick Aranas (USC-Aiken) single to right field and scored on yet another Chris Berset (Michigan) single, putting the Lightning ahead, 1-0.

Alex Hudak (Stetson) blasted a double to the right field warning track and advanced to third on a Stewart sacrifice fly. Hudak then raced home on a wild pitch to put the Lightning up, 2-0.

But the Lightning wouldn't hold onto the lead very long.

The River Rats rallied in the second to take the lead from the Lightning. David Schulze (Samford) began with a lead off single and scored on a sacrifice bunt. Jay Moroff (Eckerd) recorded a run on a Trey Hayes (Samford) RBI-single and Joseph Cuda (Eckerd) scored on an Antonio Clark (FL CC at Jacksonville) fielder's choice. The rally continued when Hank Patterson (High Point) reached home on another wild pitch and Clark plated on a Jordan Yost (West Virginia) RBI-single.

In the fourth, Mike Albaladejo (FAU) singled, advanced to second on an Hudak single and reached third on a double play. Albaladejo was ready to score one for the Lightning, but Moroff fired the ball to first base to record the third out, stranding Albaladejo.

In the fifth, the Lightning answered the River Rats. A Danny Baatz (UNC-Asheville) lead off walk began the rally. Baatz reached home on a double by Nick DelGuidice (FAU), and DelGuidice moved into scoring position on an error. The Lightning tied it up, 5-5, on a two-run homerun to right center by Michael Dufek (Michigan).

The River Rats pulled ahead, 7-5, in the fifth on an RBI-double to bring home Schulze and Simmons.

The Lightning put one on the board in the sixth on a Dufek sacrifice fly to left field, leaving the score, 7-6.

In the sixth, Hayes scored on a Yost sacrifice fly to right field and Craig Manuel (Rice) knocked one out of the park, to put the River Rats ahead, 9-6.

The River Rats picked up some insurance in the seventh on an RBI-double to score Cuda, leaving the score, 10-6.

In the ninth, the Lightning didn't go out quietly. Chris Berset (Michigan) hammered the ball out of the park and Albaladejo scored on a Hudak double, but the River Rats maintained the lead, 10-8.

Any Lightning fans that to wish to travel to the first playoff game against Sanford should meet at Pat Thomas Stadium before 5 p.m. From there, fans will carpool to the game, which starts at 7 p.m. For any questions or concerns, contact John Brandeburg at 352-406-7568.