Week 4 in Review
The Leesburg Lightning (6-12) approach the final week of June standing in last place in the Florida League. At 6-12, the Lightning sit a half game back of the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs (6-11) and are just 3-7 in their last 10 games.
On Monday, June 20, the Lightning traveled to DeLand to open up a three-game set with the Suns (9-7). It was a frustrating performance to say the least as the scoreboard didn’t quite represent the full outcome of the game. The Lightning left 11 runners on base and finished 1-for-10 with RISP, in a 3-2 loss. The following night, at Pat Thomas Stadium, Chris Lake (Flagler College) threw five scoreless innings and picked up his first win of the season as the Lightning beat the Suns 8-1. The series concluded in DeLand on Wednesday where Matt Gulik pitched seven shutout innings for the Suns as the Lightning fell 6-0 to drop the series.
Following the three-game set with the Suns, Leesburg traveled to Sanford on Thursday night for the first game of a home-and-home series with the first place River Rats (12-5).
To the surprise of many in the Florida League, the Lightning prevailed 9-4 in 10 innings. Cody Beckman, who blanked Leesburg for his first win of the season on June 15, got the start for Sanford and was sharp early. Trailing 4-1, the Lightning rebounded and came back to tie the game 4-4 in the seventh. In the 10th, Chris Lake (Daytona State) began the hitting parade for Leesburg as he drove in the go-ahead RBI with one out. Four more hits in the inning allowed the Lightning to extend their lead to 9-4, and they held on for the upset win.
On Friday night, the Lightning stood no chance as the River Rats came into Pat Thomas Stadium and throttled their way to six runs in the third inning, and an early 8-0 lead. Chris Lake (South Florida) and Chris Lake (South Florida) helped start a rally for the Lightning as they each homered in the game, but Sanford was too overpowering as they cruised to a 13-6 win.
For Leesburg, the final week of June will commence with a two-game series with the Winter Garden Squeeze (8-8). The Squeeze swept the Lightning in a three-game series earlier in the season. Leesburg will then travel to Winter Park on Wednesday for a make-up game and will open up a home-and-home series with the Altamonte Springs Boom (8-6) on Thursday.
The week will finish off on Saturday at Pat Thomas Stadium as the Lightning will host the Squeeze once again.
Striker’s Birthday Bash will be celebrated on Friday, July 1, at Pat Thomas Stadium. All of the mascots from around the Florida League will be present to celebrate Striker’s 10th birthday.
Eddie Poe, York College of Pennsylvania