Another Late-Inning Lightning Comeback Falls Short in a 13-10 Loss to the River Rats

Leesburg, Fla.- After another tough first inning, the Lightning pitching staff could not stop the bleeding as they dropped their second straight game to open up the summer. 
 
Just like in game one, it was the pitching that got Coach Billing’s squad into trouble starting in the first inning where the River Rats put up a four spot to start the game. Sanford LF Dawson Mock put up a crooked number with a three-run homer off Leesburg’s starting pitcher Dustin Dunlap making it 4-0 in the 1st. 
 
In the bottom of the 1st, Leesburg was able to chip away at the lead with an RBI double from 2B Ryan Jenkins followed by a double play off the bat of 1B Juan Orozco that scored another run cutting the lead in half, 4-2. 
 
The Lightning were then able to tie the game up at 4-4 in the 2nd after two wild pitches in the same at bat scored 3B Reid Snider and CF Eli Thurmond. In just the next half inning, a throw from Leesburg catcher Trey Craft bounced off a runner attempting to steal second, which led to a runner at third coming around to score making it 5-4 Sanford. 
 
In the bottom half of the 4th, SS Ledger Pleasant took advantage of the infield playing in, dribbling a two RBI single up the middle giving the Lightning their first lead of the game, 6-5. Later in the inning, extra hitter Charlie Keller was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, plating another run before 1B Juan Orozco’s sacrifice fly made it 8-5 heading into the 5th.
 
The lead would soon be short-lived as the pitching blunders continued for the Lightning in the 5th, who gave up a hit followed by 6 walks and a fielder's choice which brough 5 runs across to give the River Rats a 10-8 lead. RHP Bryan Burtoft and LHP Sebastian Miller combined for the 6 walks in the inning before RHP Lucas Perez got Leesburg out of the inning with a strikeout. 
 
SS Ledger Pleasant brough home another run in the 5th with a sac fly to cut the lead to just one for the River Rats making it 10-9. In the 6th, Lucas Perez continued to show his dominance, striking out the side before adding two more Ks in the 7th to make it 6 total on the night. 
 
In the 7th, Leesburg tied the game once again after a wild pitch saw LF Marco Mueses score, making it 10-10 going into the final two frames. 
 
Despite the Lightning turning their first double play of the game, the River Rats scored a crucial run to give them an 11-10 lead heading into the bottom of the 8th. A leadoff walk from RF Julian Irizarry and a sacrifice bunt from Ryan Jenkins set Leesburg up before Sanford pitcher Brady Appel sat the last two batters down to hold the lead going into the 9th. 
 
The River Rats would then tack on two more runs after 3 walks and a base hit from Lightning pitcher TJ Socarras in the top of the 9th to extend the lead to 13-10. Brady Appel for Sanford struck out the side in the bottom of the 9th to secure the team's second victory. 
 
Although the team suffered another tough loss, Coach Billings highlighted the defensive improvements after a 5-error game the night before. 
 
“I think we controlled second base a little better tonight,” said Coach Billings after the game. “We really did play pretty solid defense, which is another reason that we were in that ballgame. Hopefully that's a sign of what is to come.”
 
The Lightning will try to salvage the three-game series against the River Rats and pick up their first win of the season on Sunday June 1st. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Sanford Memorial Stadium. 
 
Vic Maslia (Syracuse University)

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