Lightning Flip the Script in Wild Win Over Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Leesburg Lightning erased a six-run first-inning deficit Friday night, rallying to defeat the Orlando Snappers 9-8 and improve to 24-10 with one game remaining in the Florida Collegiate Summer League regular season.

Orlando stormed out to a 6-0 lead in the opening inning. Roy Rodriguez highlighted the outburst with a grand slam before James Hankerson Jr. added a solo home run.

Leesburg answered immediately with a six-run second inning. Preston Murphy's RBI double got the Lightning on the board before Andon Gray and Ledger Pleasant each drew bases-loaded walks. A wild pitch plated another run, Matthew Dumas followed with an RBI single to center, and Charlie Keller capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 6-6.

The Lightning grabbed their first lead in the third when Jack Waddingham launched a two-run home run to right-center, scoring Hayden Gustavson for an 8-6 advantage.

The Snappers responded in the bottom of the inning with RBI singles from Danny Garcia and Rodriguez to even the score at 8-8.

After four scoreless innings, Leesburg pushed across the winning run in the eighth. Waddingham drew a leadoff walk, moved into scoring position and came home on a wild pitch to give the Lightning a 9-8 lead.

Leesburg's bullpen preserved the comeback. Ben Clenney tossed a scoreless fourth inning before Miguel Figueroa (3-0) worked three shutout innings to earn the victory. Cody Clymer struck out three over the final two innings to record his second save.

Despite collecting just four hits, the Lightning took advantage of 13 walks and three wild pitches. Waddingham drove in two runs with his home run and scored three times, while Dumas finished with two hits and an RBI. Murphy, Gray, Pleasant and Keller each added an RBI.

Leesburg will conclude the regular season Saturday by hosting Orlando at Pat Thomas Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)