Lightning Unable To Keep Up Offensively In Third Straight Loss

SANFORD, Fla.-The Leesburg Lightning (2-4) were handed their third consecutive loss Thursday night, this time at the hand of the Sanford River Rats (6-0) by a score of 14-6. 

The Lightning once again found themselves in a hole early, as a second inning that included a grand slam for Sanford propelled the River Rats to a 7-1 lead. Getting down early has been a major issue in Leesburg’s early season struggles. 

“It’s a tough stretch right now, but I’m trying to get these guys to understand that this is just something that we’re going through,” Leesburg Lightning Head Coach Rich Billings said. “I believe that every team in this league is going to go through a tough time and lose some games and it is hurting our confidence, but fortunately we’re getting that tough stretch out of the way early in the season instead of later on.”

Sanford’s grand slam gave the River Rats a lead that they would never relinquish, tallying seven more runs on the night, an offensive pace that the Lightning just could not keep up with. 

Leesburg found more offensive production than they have in the last few games, scoring six runs on eight hits, but it was just not enough to stay in the game. 

“We’ve got some good players that are just struggling right now,” Billings said. “When you’re struggling, a lot of players get outside of themselves and try to do extra and we don’t need them to do extra, we just need them to be themselves.”

One thing that the Lightning have not struggled with is speed on the basepaths, and Leesburg got even more help in that department with the addition of Michael Furry (St. Johns River State), who made his season debut Thursday night after playing in the Junior College World Series last week. He singled, stole a base, and made several nice defensive plays in center field in his season debut, after playing for the Lightning last season as well. 

“He (Furry) is a really special player that shows up to play every single day,” Billings said. “He’s extremely talented, you talk about the speed, he’s one of the fastest guys I have ever coached.” 

Tyler Gerteisen (North Florida) also continued his hot start to the season, going a perfect two-for-two with a walk and a stolen base. Gerteisen is one of the leaders in the Florida League in batting average, hitting at a .529 clip. 

The Lightning and River Rats will continue their three-game series with a matchup in Leesburg at Pat Thomas Stadium on Friday night. First pitch is set for 7 PM.

(Carter Mansfield, Austin Peay State University)

Carter Mansfield - 06/09/23 2:18am

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