Lack of Lightning Offense Led to the 4-2 Loss Against the Rats

Sanford, Fla – Due to the second game of the doubleheader being called in the bottom of the first inning back on Saturday, today's game started with two Sanford runners on with nobody out. RHP Lucas Perez, who started Saturday's game before it got called, was back on the bump today to get out of a jam he induced just days ago.

Unfortunately for Perez, he was unable to navigate out of trouble in the 1st with an early run scoring from a passed ball. The righty would then walk in two straight runs to give Sanford the 3-0 lead.

Leesburg answered in the 2nd with an RBI single from RF Charlie Keller that made it a 3-1 game.

Perez was able to settle in, finishing his last two frames without allowing any further damage before his night was over. The righty racked up 4 strikeouts while allowing 3 hits in his three innings of work.

RHP Cade Mattison was the first arm out of the bullpen, tossing a scoreless 4th before running into trouble in the 5th. After a first pitch fly out, Mattison surrendered a walk, single, and a hit by pitch that loaded the bases for the Rats with just one out. RHP Tanner Walker then came on to get out of the jam but would walk in a run before getting out of the inning which extended the Sanford lead to 4-1.

RHP Blake Tipmore relieved Walker in the 6th and got some help from C Nicholas Wrubluski who threw out a runner trying to steal second. In the 7th, Tipmore got some more help, this time from his middle infield as they were able to turn the double play to get out of the inning.

The Lightning offense was held to just one run until the 8th inning when pinch hitter Trey Craft delivered an RBI single to cut the deficit to 4-2.

In the bottom of the inning, RHP Jose Paniagua struck out the side to send the bats back up for their last chance to come back.

The Lightning were unable to string together a rally and would go down in order to end the game, giving the Rats the 4-2 victory.

Coach Billings noted that putting together a good game starts well before the first pitch and that’s what he has been stressing to his team all season.

“It's really about preparation, we have to prepare to be successful,” said Billings. “Nobody’s entitled to success here so just getting them to understand that, that you’ve got to earn it and you earn it by showing up and preparing to be successful.”

The Lightning will travel to DeLand tomorrow to face the Suns in hopes of getting back in the win column. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Melching Field.

Vic Maslia (Syracuse University)

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