Lightning Cruise to Split with Winter Garden

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Leesburg Lightning returned to the win column Monday night, using a six-run fifth inning to pull away from the Winter Garden Squeeze for an 11-3 victory at Pat Thomas Stadium.

After three scoreless innings, Leesburg broke through in the fourth. Charlie Keller started the scoring with an RBI double to left-center field that brought home Turner Gross. Marcello Cortale followed with an RBI fielder's choice before Ledger Pleasant lined an RBI single into left field, giving the Lightning a 3-0 advantage.

The game turned decisively in the fifth inning as Leesburg sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs. Dylan Green lifted a sacrifice fly to score Andon Gray before Hudson Reed added an RBI single. Jack Waddingham followed with a run-scoring single aided by a Winter Garden throwing error, and Pleasant delivered the biggest hit of the frame with a two-run single. Gabe Campos capped the rally with an RBI double down the right-field line, extending the lead to 9-0.

Winter Garden got on the board in the sixth when Leonardo Suarez launched a two-run home run to left field, but the Lightning never allowed the visitors to build momentum. Fabian Antonsanti added an RBI double in the eighth to trim the deficit to 9-3.

Leesburg answered immediately in the bottom half. After Green and Gray reached base, Keller ripped a two-run single down the right-field line to score both runners and put the finishing touches on the 11-3 victory.

Keller led the offensive attack, going 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, two runs scored, and two walks. Pleasant also drove in three runs while collecting two hits. Gray reached base four times, scored twice, and stole a base. Reed, Waddingham, Campos, and Gross each added a hit as the Lightning finished with 10 hits and 12 walks.

On the mound, Ben Clenney tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four to earn his second win of the season. Bryan Burtoft, Miguel Figueroa, and Andre Bilbao Jr. combined to cover the final four innings, with Figueroa striking out three batters in a scoreless seventh.

The Lightning defense also turned three double plays behind the pitching staff, helping limit Winter Garden's opportunities throughout the night.

With the victory, Leesburg improved to 13-5 on the season and earned a split of the four-game series with the Squeeze.

The Lightning return to action Tuesday against the DeLand Suns at Pat Thomas Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)