LEESBURG, Fla. (June 5, 2011) - The Lightning continued their hot start with another win Sunday afternoon with an 11-5 victory against the Winter Haven Loggerheads, a new team to the Florida Collegiate Summer League in 2011.

 

As was the case in the first two games, Leesburg battled their way out of trouble in the first defensive frame and saw their bats explode in the bottom half of the inning. The Lightning ripped off five runs on six hits, all of which was done with two outs. With shortstop Jacob Tillotson (Florida)on third, Hunter Mayfield (Rollins College) hit a slow roller to the first baseman, which would have ended the inning, but the ball was mishandled and allowed Tillotson to score and the inning to continue. Chase Durham (Howard College) then placed a ball perfectly down the left field line for one of his two doubles on the night, Brandon Singer (Seminole State CC) singled in two more runs and catcher Nick Octavi (Harford CC) continued his hitting streak with another single and another RBI. Before some of the spectators had even taken their seats, the Lightning were up 5-0.

 

Contrary to the first two games however, Winter Haven came back in the second inning, chasing Lightning starter Andrew White (Dodge City CC) from the game and scoring four runs of their own. The success of the first inning for Leesburg carried over into the second inning and the Lightning scored another four runs off Winter Haven starter and Texas product Clayton Freimuth (Trinity). The early runs would end up being the difference in the game.

 

Defense was also unlike the first two games and saw both teams combine for eight errors. Leesburg committed five errors in the infield throughout the game, hurting their pitchers as well as allowing Winter Haven runs that should have been outs.

 

“We definitely have to limit our errors,” said first baseman Chase Durham (Howard College) who played his best game so far this season. “We gave them more chances than they deserved as a result.”

 

The only defensive highlights of the game were made on a great catch by Troy Drummond (Delaware State) in the fourth inning, and an even more spectacular play in the sixth by leftfielder Christian Coburn (College of Central Florida). With a runner on first and two outs, Loggerhead shortstop Michael Heller (Florida) put a ball down the left field line and hustling around the bases from first was Andrew Sterling (Dickinson College), who thought he had third base easy, but Coburn had other plans. He immediately saw Sterling trying for third and showed off his cannon of an arm and gunned out Sterling on a perfect throw, ending the inning.

 

“It’s awesome playing in front of the hometown fans,” said Brandon Singer (Seminole State CC) who added another hit and a pair of RBIs. “I played here a bunch in high school, but to hear everybody in the stands behind me backing me up is great.”

 

“Offensive execution,” was the reason given by Coach Therneau in explaining his teams’ 3-0 start. “We’re moving guys around the bases and we’re hitting and scoring runs.”

 

The Lightning will see their first off day on Monday, but will return to action on Tuesday, June 7 as Leesburg heads to Orlando, Fla. to face the Orlando Freedom at 7 p.m.