Lightning Struck Down by Gulik, Drop Series Finale to the Suns

DELAND, Fla. - The Leesburg Lightning (5-11) were stifled by Matthew Gulik (Webber International) on Wednesday night, as they dropped the series finale with the DeLand Suns (7-7), 6-0.

Jon Koski (Daytona State) got the start for Leesburg, but struggled from the get-go. With two runners on and one out in the top of the first, Jay Hayes (Florida Gulf Coast) smoked the first pitch he saw from Koski into the right-center gap for a two-run triple. Tyler Marshall (Kentucky) and Zachary Reks (Kentucky) came around to score to give DeLand an early 2-0 lead.

The Suns added another run in the inning as Blake Voyles (North Florida) followed Hayes with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

With Gulik dealing for DeLand, the Suns put another three runs on the board in the second as Koski was simply unable to control the zone. He walked four while giving up six runs in two innings of work.

Leesburg looked muddled at the plate all game long as Gulik kept the Lightning out of the hit column through the first five innings. He exited after 7 2/3 innings, giving up only five hits while striking out five.

Following Gulik’s exit, the Lightning were able to put a few hits together, but it ultimately resulted in nothing as the Suns held on for the series win.

"Jon just struggled with throwing strikes tonight," Pitching Coach Josh Holt said. "Some balls just happened to find the right holes for the Suns but he just wasn't around the zone tonight."

Gulik picked up the win while Koski suffered the loss (0-3).

The Lightning travel to Sanford on Thursday night as they open up a two-game set with the River Rats. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Eddie Poe, York College of Pennsylvania

Eddie Poe - 06/23/16 11:49am

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