Lightning Claim Sixth Florida League Championship

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Leesburg Lightning are champions once again.

After dropping Game 1 of the Florida Collegiate Summer League Championship Series, the Lightning responded with back-to-back victories, defeating the Sanford River Rats 7-3 on Monday night at Pat Thomas Stadium to capture the 2026 Whiting Cup.

Leesburg wasted no time taking control against Sanford starter Brian Kendall. Matthew Dumas reached to open the bottom of the first inning, stole second and scored on an RBI single by Charlie Keller. Moments later, Andon Gray crossed the plate when Preston Murphy grounded into a double play, giving the Lightning an early 2-0 lead.

The Lightning added to their advantage in the third. Gray drew a walk before Keller blasted a two-run home run to center field, extending the lead to 4-0. Keller finished 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, driving in nearly half of Leesburg's runs.

Leesburg continued to capitalize on Sanford mistakes in the fourth. Daniel Despaine scored on a wild pitch before Cory Banasiak crossed the plate when Dumas' sacrifice bunt resulted in a throwing error by Kendall, stretching the lead to 6-0.

Ben Clenney delivered another dominant postseason performance on the mound, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out five. Andre Bilbao Jr. and JD Aragort followed with two perfect innings of relief, with Aragort striking out all three batters he faced.

The Lightning added an insurance run in the eighth when Marcello Cortale scored on another wild pitch. Cortale led the offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance and a walk, while Gray reached base three times and scored twice. Banasiak and Despaine each added a hit and scored a run as Leesburg totaled 10 hits and drew eight walks.

Sanford mounted one final rally in the ninth, receiving RBI singles from Ethan Beal and Michael Dobkowski before Cooper Pitman's sacrifice fly cut the deficit to 7-3. Cody Clymer recorded the final out moments later, setting off the championship celebration.

After finishing the regular season with the FCSL's best record at 24-11, the Lightning completed their postseason run by sweeping the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in the semifinals before rallying to defeat the River Rats in the Championship Series. The title is the sixth in franchise history and caps a memorable season in which Leesburg rebounded from an opening-game loss to win two straight and once again stand atop the Florida Collegiate Summer League.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)