Lightning Pick Up Second Consecutive Run-Rule Win

WINTER GARDEN, Fla.-The Leesburg Lightning completed their second run-rule win in a row with a 10-1 score, this time over the Winter Garden Squeeze on Sunday afternoon.

The Lightning continued with their early season theme of solid pitcher performances, along with producing baserunners through walks and aggressive baserunning. Leesburg drew 13 walks and stole 8 bases on the day.

“It never slumps when you have the types of players who can consistently draw walks and get on base and then go out and immediately being in scoring position for you with a stolen base,” said Billings. “It’s definitely something I look for at certain positions when building the team.” 

Riley Fitzgerald (Flagler) also had a quality start on the mound and seemed to be hitting his spots early, throwing five scoreless innings and striking out four batters for Leesburg in the win. 

“Coming out strong and the run support early on really helped,” said Fitzgerald. “I just try to come out and hit my spots and not do too much, especially with a lead like we had.”

The Lightning had no issues finding success early and often, as they took a 10-0 lead into the seventh inning, before Winter Park scored in the final frame to avoid the shutout. 

Leesburg has been phenomenal in getting runners on base and creating offense in any way possible, as they have outscored their opponents 20-2 in the last two games while compiling 25 walks and only seven hits in that same span. 

Coach Billings made an interesting lineup change in the previous game against Winter Park, moving leadoff hitter Austin Brinling (North Florida) to third in the lineup, creating a ton of speed at the top of the lineup for the Lightning. Gabriel Santiago (Coker), who bats second in the lineup, along with Brinling, stole three bases each in the dominant win over Winter Garden. 

“Between Tyler LeJeune (Northwest Florida State), Gabriel Santiago (Coker), and Austin Brinling (North Florida), one of those guys is going to get on and one of them is going to steal second early on and possibly even third,” said Billings. “It really gives us a chance to score runs early and stay out of double plays, which are a killer.”

Sunday’s matchup was the first of a three-game set between the Lightning and the Squeeze. Game two of the series will take place in Leesburg at Pat Thomas Stadium on Monday, June 5th at 7 PM. 

(Carter Mansfield, Austin Peay State University)

Carter Mansfield - 06/05/23 1:22am

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