Leesburg Victory Completes Season Sweep of Sanford

LEESBURG, Fla. - The Leesburg Lightning completed a seven-game season sweep of the Sanford River Rats, defeating Sanford 4-3 on Friday night at Pat Thomas Stadium.

Leesburg scored the game's first run in the third inning. Turner Gross doubled to right-center and advanced to third on the throw while Andon Gray came around to score on a throwing error, giving the Lightning a 1-0 lead.

Making his first start of the season, AJ Seymour kept Leesburg's offense in check throughout his outing. The right-hander tossed five innings, allowing one unearned run while scattering hits and keeping the River Rats within striking distance before leaving with a no-decision.

Sanford broke through in the fifth with a three-run inning. Adonys Velez came home on an RBI infield single by Tyler Meyer to tie the game before Jaden Garcia lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Michael Dobkowski to give the River Rats a 2-1 lead. Caleb Scott followed with an RBI single up the middle to plate Meyer and extend the advantage to 3-1.

The Lightning answered in the sixth. Kaden Thompson singled to left-center to score Preston Murphy, cutting the deficit to one. Later in the inning, Daniel Despaine reached on a fielder's choice that brought home Dylan Green to tie the game. Moments later, Thompson stole home during a sequence that included a stolen base by Despaine and a throwing error, giving Leesburg a 4-3 lead.

The River Rats will have the Fourth of July off before returning to action Sunday against the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in Sanford in their final game before the All-Star break.

Alejandro Landers (Elon University)