Eight Run Eighth Leads Leesburg past Suns

DELAND, Fla - The Leesburg Lightning won their fifth game in a row, taking down the Deland Suns, 11-3, on Friday night at Sperling Sports Complex.

A 3-3 tie was taken to the ninth inning when Leesburg popped off for an eight run frame, coasting to the win. 

Outfielder Marco Dinges (Tallahassee CC) remains red hot at the plate as he sent a three-run triple to left center field in the ninth. He would score on a throwing error to give the Lightning the eight-run advantage.

Earlier in the inning, the Suns walked in three runs with the bases loaded and a wild pitch would score another, contributing to the offensive onslaught for the Bolts. 

Lightning second baseman Gabriel Santiago (Coker) blasted a two-run homer to left field in the third inning, giving Leesburg the early lead. Santiago finished the day 2 for 4 with three RBIs. 

Deland would chip away throughout the ballgame scoring three unanswered runs, taking a one run lead into the eighth inning. 

In the top of eighth, Leesburg would tie the game on a throwing error from the Suns catcher that would score center fielder Austin Brinling (North Florida) who attempted to steal third base.

Right-handed reliever Tyler Van Dyke (Seminole St) was clutch out of the bullpen as he came into a tie ballgame with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth. Van Dyke would strikeout the next two batters to hold the Suns off the board, earning the win after Leesburg took the lead in the ninth.

Newly added left-hander Sebastian Miller (Palm Beach St) would relieve Van Dyke with two outs in the ninth to record the final out of the game, receiving his first experience as a Lightning ballplayer. 

With the win, Leesburg improves to 22-11 on the year and will play the final game of the regular season against the Suns on Saturday night at Sperling Sports Complex.   

Just a half-game back of the top spot in the league standings, a Leesburg victory over Deland and a loss from the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs on Saturday would give the Lighting sole position of first place in the FCSL standings, earning the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs. 

Tom Cavanaugh, (Michigan State University) 

Tom Cavanaugh - 07/22/22 11:58pm

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