Leesburg Collapses Late, Drops Series Opener

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - With large playoff implications involved, the Leesburg Lightning (19-22) traveled to Lake Brantley High School on Thursday night and fell to the Altamonte Springs Boom (20-18), 9-4. Chris Lake (Flagler) was magnificent for the Lightning but three sixth inning runs by the Boom proved to be the difference maker.

After their five-game win streak was snapped on Wednesday night, Leesburg remained in need of a win to help keep pace in the Florida Collegiate Summer League standings.

Neither team wasted time scoring as the Lightning took advantage of a shaky first inning by Jose Peguero (Miami-Dade). In his only other outing against Leesburg, he threw six shutout innings in a game of two-hit ball in a 3-1 win.

Two defensive errors and an RBI triple by Tanner Long (Thomas) brought in two early runs for the Lightning, giving them a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, Lake fell victim to an 0-2 pitch that he left up in the zone. Danny Rodriguez (Bethune-Cookman) feasted on it and hit it over the fence in left field for a two-run shot — his third of the season against Leesburg.

The Lightning scored a run in each of the next two innings, pulling ahead 4-2. Long added to his RBI total (34) with a single in the third, scoring Clay Simmons (South Florida).

After a quiet fourth and fifth, Leesburg ran into trouble in the sixth. Alex Young (Grand Valley St.) and Seth Johnson (Grand Valley St.) led off the inning with back-to-back singles, ending Lake’s night.

The Lightning called upon David Baxter (Florence-Darlington Tech), but he was unable to get out of the inning. He walked a batter and made a defensive error on the mound, making way for Dan Twitty (St. Leo).

Twitty inherited a bases loaded jam, and the Boom were able to act on it. Nicholas Gallo (Oklahoma St.) took an 0-2 pitch from Twitty and smacked it down the left field line for a two-RBI double, giving Altamonte Springs their first lead of the game, 5-4.

Looking to contain Altamonte Springs’ lead, Leesburg brought in Drew Peden (Florida Atlantic) who had been one of their most dominant relievers coming into the game. He looked unlike himself, allowing four runs on five hits — two home runs.

“It’s at the point in the season where our arms are starting to wear down and become fatigued,” Head Coach Rich Billings said. “It’s noticeable, but those guys will work through it and other guys will pick up the slack just as they’ve done all season long.”

The two-run home run allowed by Lake in the first was his lone blemish of the night, but things fell apart for Leesburg in the later part of the game, leaving Lake with a no-decision. He allowed just two earned runs in five innings, with seven strikeouts.

“Tonight’s start was a great last start heading into the playoffs for Chris,” Billings said. “He was around the zone and was much deserving of a win. Tonight will certainly help with his confidence heading into next week.”

With his single in the sixth, Cornell Nixon (Eastern Kentucky) extended his on-base streak to 21 games.

Long also extended his hit streak to a season high eight games.

Despite the loss, the Lightning moved into a fourth place tie with the Winter Garden Squeeze and are now 2 1/2 games behind Altamonte Springs.

“In terms of what we hope to accomplish, these final three games are must win,” Billings said. “Nonetheless, our approach remains the same — one game at a time.”

Leesburg and Altamonte Springs travel to Pat Thomas Stadium - Buddy Lowe Field on Friday night for game two of their three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Eddie Poe, York College of Pennsylvania

Eddie Poe - 07/29/16 12:32am

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