Patient Lightning Continue to Roll

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Leesburg Lightning used patience at the plate and timely hitting to secure an 11-5 victory over the Sanford River Rats on Friday night at Pat Thomas Stadium.

Leesburg wasted little time jumping on Sanford starter Liam Furey. The Lightning scored three runs in the first inning and added another in the second to build an early 4-1 lead. Sanford battled back with two runs in the third to cut the deficit to one, but the Lightning never surrendered control.

After adding a run in the fourth, Leesburg broke the game open in the fifth. The Lightning sent 10 batters to the plate and scored four runs, taking advantage of four walks and several Sanford miscues to extend the lead to 9-3.

The offense remained productive throughout the night, collecting 10 hits while drawing 10 walks. Six different Lightning players recorded a hit, and five drove in runs.

Jack Waddingham continued his hot start to the season, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Ledger Pleasant delivered two hits and drove in two runs, while Marcello Cortale doubled and added two RBIs. Turner Gross drove in a run and scored twice, and Gabe Campos contributed a triple, an RBI and a run scored.

At the top of the lineup, Dylan Green reached base four times, going 2-for-3 with two walks and a triple. Green also stole two bases, while KT Thompson swiped two bags of his own as the Lightning continued to pressure opposing defenses on the basepaths.

On the mound, Brandon Reiter struck out six batters across four innings in his second start of the season. Ryan Perzanowski followed with two innings of relief before JD Aragort delivered a pivotal performance out of the bullpen. Aragort tossed two scoreless innings, striking out three and allowing no hits to earn the victory. Ethon Tesmer closed out the ninth inning with two strikeouts.

The Lightning pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts and limited Sanford to six hits. Despite four defensive errors behind them, Leesburg pitchers allowed only three earned runs and stranded 11 River Rats on base.

With the victory, the Lightning improved to 6-1 and will face the River Rats in the finale of the three-game series Saturday at 7 p.m. at Pat Thomas Stadium.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)