Offense Breaks Out as Lightning Crush Freedom

The Lightning got back to winning ways Thursday night taking care of the Freedom in Orlando by an overwhelming 13-2 score.

                After dropping two straight, one to Winter Park and one to Sanford, Leesburg sent Dylan Hathcock to the mound to stop the bleeding and he did just that.

                Hathcock gave up a two run homerun in the third inning to Kevin Lehane, but was otherwise dominant. He didn’t issue a walk and struck out seven over six innings. The homer ended up being the only two runs the team allowed In his final inning, he struck out the side, fanning three straight Freedom hitters to close out his solid appearance.

                “The off speed was working tonight,” said Hathcock of his performance. “Just trying to go out there and stay consistent on the mound.”

                Just like the Sanford River Rats took advantage of Leesburg mistakes on Wednesday night, it was the Lightning’s turn to capitalize on Thursday. The club took advantage of five Orlando errors and pounded out 11 hits. They scored in four straight innings starting in the fourth dropping two, one, two and three runs on the Freedom.

                “You create those opportunities for them to make mistakes,” said Coach Therneau of his team. The powerful 14 hit, 13 run performance broke the Lightning out of an offensive slump going back to Tuesday night. “We applied constant pressure all night and it was the little things like forcing them to rush plays and getting down the line that helps you win ball games.”

                The way the runs came across the board, the Lightning only trailed for a hot second before tying it up and eventually taking the lead.

                Orlando, who lost three of their starting pitchers including ace Garrett Nuss, seemed to eventually run out of steam on the mound. Due to injuries or fatigue, the three Orlando starters were shut down for the remainder of the season either by themselves or by a coach. How that will affect their playoff chances remains to be seen.

                One night after setting the single season hit record, Jacob Tillotson added three more hits, going 3-5 with two RBIs. Several other players had multiple hits.

                “We were all seeing  the ball tonight,” said Tillotson who admitted he didn’t know he had broken the record until tonight. “Hopefully we can carry this offense over to tomorrow.”

                The showdown is set for tomorrow night at Pat Thomas Stadium. Winter Park split a doubleheader against Winter Haven Thursday night and the split combined with the Leesburg win puts the Lightning up two games on the Diamond Dawgs. A win tomorrow clinches first place and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Dylan Ortega will be the starter for Friday night and is on a short leash according to Coach Therneau. Ortega had success against the same Winter Park team in his last start.

                “We want to win tomorrow,” said Tillotson.

                “We’re going to come ready to play tomorrow,” said Therneau.

                Friday’s game will be the final home game of the regular season as the Lightning head back to Orlando Saturday and then to Winter Haven in the regular season finale on Sunday afternoon.

By: Nick Beardi (Medaille College)  

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