Lightning Fall Flat in Loss to Scorpions

LEESBURG, Fla. -- The Lightning (10-13) looked to get a winning streak going on Tuesday night, as it continued its series with the Seminole County Scorpions (4-18) at Pat Thomas Stadium.

The Lightning found themselves with an early deficit, as a couple of RBI singles gave Seminole County a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. 

The Leesburg offense was held in check by Seminole County starter Marcus McKay (St. Thomas). The Bolts were unable to break into the run column in the first four innings. 

While the Lightning offense was silent, the Scorpions made noise in the fifth. A solo homer from Parker Smith (Rollins) made it a 3-0 game. A sacrifice fly and a two run single extended the Scorpions’ lead to 6-0 after five frames.

The Lightning were quiet once again in the fifth, but would threaten in the sixth, putting runners at first and second with two outs. The Bolts came up empty again, as a popout to shortstop ended the inning.

The Scorpions continued to cushion their lead, as a wild pitch scored a run for Seminole County. The run gave the Scorpions a 7-0 advantage in the top of the eighth.

The Lightning were not dead yet, however. In the eighth, FCSL All-Star Cage Cox (Valdosta State) worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. The Lightning stranded two runners in the eight with a strikeout. The game headed into the ninth with Seminole County in front 7-2.

The Scorpions added a couple insurance runs in the ninth on a two-run single by Hayden Cross (Appalachian State). Seminole County carried a 9-2 lead into the home half of the ninth.

The Lightning threatened in the ninth, but flew out to center with the bases loaded to end the game. Seminole County claimed the 9-2 win, the inverse of last night’s score.

Lightning skipper Rich Billings was frustrated in his team’s energy level in the game. “We were flat,” Billings said. “We were flat all night long. From the dugout, to the field, to the plate and to the pitcher’s mound. It’s hard to overcome that if that’s how you’re going to show up.”

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