Leesburg Traps Rats for Seventh Straight Win

SANFORD, Fla - The Leesburg Lightning continue their winning ways on Thursday night downing the Sanford River Rats, 8-4, at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium. Leesburg improves to 15-6 and extends their winning streak to seven games. 

Leesburg trailed by a run after five innings but the tide turned in the sixth when Jakob Runnels (North Florida) delivered a clutch two-run single to right field that put Leesburg on top, 3-2. The Bolts would post three more runs in the inning on a wild pitch, a bases loaded walk and an RBI single from outfielder Marco Dinges (Tallahassee CC).

The Lightning went through five pitchers in the ballgame and the bullpen came up big after a rough start from left-hander Matt Dadlani. Sanford drew four straight walks to start the game and scored first on the bases loaded walk. 

Sophomore right-handed pitcher Tyler Van Dyke (Seminole St) entered late in the second inning to limit the damage and he tossed two and two thirds innings allowing just one hit, striking out four and keeping the Rats off the board.  

A run would come in for Leesburg in the top of the third on a wild throw from the Rats catcher to score second baseman Gabriel Santiago (Coker) from third. Leesburg would cash in eight unanswered runs throughout the following five frames.

The highlight player of the night was reliever Casey Daiss (Pasco Hernando St) in his return to the team. Daiss was incredible as he dealt three innings from the fifth to the seventh and struck out five Sanford hitters and just one hit. 

“It felt really good to be with my teammates again and just getting back on the mound,” Daiss said. “We had a good defense behind me so it was fun.”

Daiss earned his first win of the season and spoke on what was the key to his success in the ballgame. 

“Pounding the strike zone with fastballs high and sliders in the dirt and they would swing most of the time.” Daiss said.

Sophomore third baseman Quinn Petty (North Alabama) contributed with a sacrifice-fly in the top of the seventh to give Leesburg a five-run lead. The very next inning, pinch-hitter Devon Nowells took one swing and blasted a solo home run to left field, his first of the year. 

Sanford would plate a pair in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run homer off of Lightning newcomer, Amir Ashgar (Bethune Cookman). Amir threw for Leesburg in 2019 and is currently preparing for the World Baseball Classic coming in September. 

Veteran closer Connor Gleeson (Gardner Webb) did what he does best, striking out the side in the ninth inning to close out the game. Gleeson has 16 strikeouts in nine innings of work.

The Lightning have been unbelievable on both sides of the diamond in the past few weeks. The pitching staff holds a .206 batting average against, which is lowest in the Florida League and Leesburg has scored a total of 113 runs in 21 games. 

“The energy is super high right now and we are playing with this winning streak,” Daiss said about the feeling in the locker room. “It's just fun to play a game exactly how it’s supposed to be played.”

Leesburg will be back in action on Friday night for game two of their series with Sanford at Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. ET. 

Tom Cavanaugh, (Michigan State University)

Tom Cavanaugh - 07/01/22 2:04am

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