Official Website of the 2009 FCSL Champions

River Rats slam Lightning

Sunday, July 19, 2009 6:05am

by: Laura Kubitz

SANFORD- The Leesburg Lightning battled for 10 innings against the Sanford River Rats but a walk-off grand slam by Craig Manuel put the River Rats on top, 7-3.

The Lightning bullpen battled hard against the River Rats striking out 16. Kyle Wahl (Southern) worked five and one-third innings and struck out nine.

Once again, Trae Gore (Florida Southern) demonstrated why he is second in the league in hitting with a base hit to center field. Batting cleanup, Trace Venegas (Santa Fe College) smacked a double to the warning line to bring home Gore and to put the Lightning ahead, 1-0, in the first.

In the third, two base hits and an error loaded the bases. John Prano (Marist) scored on a passed ball to tie up the game, but Wahl silenced the River Rats threat by striking out two in a row.

The Lightning picked up the lead, 3-1, in the fourth with an RBI-base hit by Danny Baatz (UNC-Asheville) and a sacrifice fly to right field by Mike Albaladejo (FAU) to score Chris Berset (Michigan).

The River Rats began the fifth with a stand up double for Drew Geissinger (High Point). A strike out delayed the action, but Drew Morgan (Western Kentucky) picked up the momentum with an RBI-single to leave the score, 3-2.

In the sixth, Robert Lake (Winthrop) relieved starter Wahl who worked five and one-third innings, struck out nine and allowed five hits.

To tie up the game in the sixth, the Doug Simmons (Rice) hit an RBI-ground out to score Chris Smelley (Alabama).

The Lightning went into extra innings for the first time this season after three scoreless innings.

In the bottom of the tenth, Trey Hayes (Samford) advanced to third on a walk, an error and a stolen base. John Michael Blake (Lake Sumter CC) struck out Jordan Yost (West Virginia) and intentionally walked Smelley and Antonio Clark (Florida State College). Ian MacGeorge (Seminole CC) struck out swinging.

With two outs, lefty Brett Blaise (Pearl River CC) relieved Blake and was left with the job of finishing the inning in the tenth.

"Blaise was put in a tough situation," said Lightning coach Tony Darden. "I have all the confidence in the world in Blaise to get that guy in the next situation."

With the crowd chanting, "We will rock you", a full count and two outs, Craig Manuel (Rice) smacked a walk-off grand slam to right field to win the game for the River Rats, 7-3.

"That's gonna happen, that's baseball," said Darden.