Best the Hero in Lightning Walk Off Winner

LEESBURG, Fla - The Leesburg Lightning completed a thrilling 6-5 comeback in walk off fashion over the Seminole County Snappers on Tuesday night at Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field. The win marks Leesburg’s third walk off victory this season. 

With a tie game and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, left fielder Noah Best (Birmingham Southern) came through with a line drive off the right field wall to score newcomer Chase Hadley (Columbia Int) and win the ballgame. Best was the catalyst to victory, finishing the night 3 for 5, driving in three crucial runs in his final two at bats. 

“I was looking for something on the outer half of the plate, I put a good swing on one and sent it the other way.” Best said. “I’m just trying to get my foot down early, see pitches a bit longer and I’m able to start driving the ball a little better.”

Best also spoke on the electric atmosphere that the Lightning fans bring in those dramatic, game-winning moments.

“It’s awesome to have so many people here in the ninth inning,” Best said. “You get to do something cool and then celebrate with the fans.”

The starting nod for Leesburg went to right-handed pitcher Ivan VanBeverhoudt Jr. (Anderson) who went three strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out a pair. He would be followed by lefty Zach Mizrahi (Daytona St) and right-hander Casey Daiss (Pasco Hernando St) who combined for four and two thirds innings, giving up three runs on six hits. Mizrahi also struck out four in his eighth relief appearance. 

Leesburg made their comeback in the seventh inning when trailing 4-1 with two gigantic swings. Third baseman Devon Nowells (Daytona St) brought the deficit to one as he drilled a two-run single into center field with the bases loaded. A few batters later, the Lightning would take a one run lead on Best’s two-run double off the left field wall. 

Lightning closer Connor Gleeson (Gardner Webb) would allow a base hit to plate the tying run in the top of the eighth inning with two outs. He would bounce back, tossing a scoreless ninth with a strikeout to finish. Gleeson picked up the win and now holds a  2-1 record on the year. 

The Bolts earned their 20th win of the season for the first time since 2019 and have clinched one of the top two spots in the FCSL standings, just a game and half back of the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in first place. 

“Any win is a good win, but this one was big for sure,” Best said. “They (Winter Park) could drop a game here soon and that would put us in first place which would be great for the playoffs.”

Leesburg will finish up the regular season with a three-game series with the Deland Suns starting on Thursday night at Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field. First pitch is set for 7:00 pm. ET. 

Tom Cavanaugh, (Michigan State University)

Tom Cavanaugh - 07/20/22 1:45pm

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