Lightning Erupt Late to Steal Series

SANFORD, Fla. - The Leesburg Lightning (16-20) came into Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium on Saturday night and took the series from the Sanford River Rats (22-14), coming out on top by a final score of 8-3. After going hitless through the first six innings, the Lightning erupted for seven runs over the next two innings as Jose Bonilla (Florida Atlantic) capped things off in the eighth with a three-run home run to seal the victory.

With Leesburg looking to pickup one of their most important series’ wins of the season, the cards were stacked against them through six innings of play.

Jacob Billingsley (Mississippi State) got the start for Sanford and in the simplest terms possible, was nothing short of masterful, through the first six innings. With Sanford sporting one of the more talented pitching staff’s in the Florida Collegiate Summer League, the Lightning had not seen Billingsley prior to Saturday night.

After he allowed Austin Simmons (Thomas) to reach on a walk in the first and later score on a wild pitch, Billingsley retired 16 of the next 17 batters that he faced — the lone base-runner reaching on a hit-by-pitch.

“Our guys made him work for every out, but there’s no arguing that [he] kept us off balance through the first six innings,” Head Coach Rich Billings said.

After surrendering runs in each of the first two innings, Chris Lake (Flagler) settled down and was solid much of the night. He left a 3-2 pitch up in the zone to Brant Blaylock (Mississippi State) in the first and he doubled into left field, scoring Sanford’s first run of the game.

With the game tied 1-1 in the second, Lake gave up back-to-back singles to Collin Morrill (New Orleans) and Logan Sepanek (Dallas Baptist). The River Rats were able to take a 2-1 lead on a throwing error by Cornell Nixon (Eastern Kentucky) as he attempted to complete a 4-6-3 double play. The ball sailed over the head of Harrison Scanlon (Western Kentucky) at first, allowing Morrill to score.

“Chris made a few early mistakes tonight but he settled down and got the job done,” Billings said.

Lake went five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits. He struck out two while settling for the no-decision.

Fast forward to the seventh, the Lightning were still looking for their first hit of the game.

With Billingsley quickly approaching the 100 pitch limit, he returned to the mound in the seventh looking to contain his no-hitter. He walked Scanlon to begin the inning but was able to strikeout Clay Simmons (South Florida) for the first out. He then walked Tanner Long (Thomas) to put two runners on, and allowed a single to Bonilla — Leesburg’s first hit of the game.

Sanford’s left fielder was unable to make the play cleanly, allowing Scanlon to come around and score the tying run. Igor Baez (Flagler) followed with a sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Lightning a 3-2 lead.

Leesburg’s sudden awakening transitioned over to the eighth inning as the Lightning scored five more runs to take a convincing 8-2 lead.

After Clay Simmons and Long picked up RBI hits, Bonilla came to the plate with two runners on. With his college teammate on the hill, Nick Swan (Florida Atlantic), Bonilla took his 3-2 pitch and drilled it over the fence in left-center, extending Leesburg’s lead to a comfortable 8-2.

“He [Swan] worked me to a full count, but I was able to put the full barrel on the ball,” Bonilla said. “I think I surprised myself a little with that home run.”

Sanford would add a run in the bottom of the eighth but the Lightning bullpen shut things down the rest of the way.

Bonilla led the way for Leesburg, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBI — the lone multi-hit performance for the Lightning.

Kade Hunkapiller (State College of FL) picked up his first win, throwing a scoreless sixth while striking out two.

With the win, the Lightning are now in sole possession of fifth place and a half game ahead of the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. They’re just one game back of the Winter Garden Squeeze for fourth place.

Leesburg returns to action on Monday with a doubleheader from Pat Thomas Stadium. The Lightning and Diamond Dawgs will resume a suspended game from July 12, beginning at 4:30 p.m., with the regularly scheduled game following after.


Eddie Poe, York College of Pennsylvania

Eddie Poe - 07/24/16 12:55am

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