sfoggi posted on June 19, 2011 18:16
LEESBURG, Fla. (June 19, 2011) - The Lightning fell for the second straight night on Sunday against the Orlando Freedom, 7-1. The ceremonial first pitches were thrown out by three generations of the Durham family. Lightning slugger Chase Durham (Howard CC), along with his father and grandfather, got the Father’s Day festivities started at Pat Thomas Stadium. However, the story of the game was Freedom pitcher Garrett Nuss (Mt. Dora HS).
Nuss was impervious through his six innings of work. The only trouble he came across was in the third inning where he worked himself out of a bases loaded jam, allowing the only run he would give up on the night. He had eight strikeouts and scattered seven hits, all inopportune singles. The command on his pitches was impeccable as he threw a 12-6 curveball that would have fooled some Major Leaguers. His fastball has been clocked in the low 90s and was drafted in the later rounds of last week’s MLB Draft by the Yankees. The 18-year-old showed why he is a top high school prospect in the country, throwing only 85 pitches through six innings.
For the second night in a row, Leesburg (9-3) outhit their opponent, but pitching woes got the best of the Lightning. Starter Andrew White (Dodge City CC) was chased from the game in the second inning after giving up five runs, all in the second inning. White lost command of his pitches early in the game and never recovered. He gave up three walks, a single, followed by a double before leaving the game, but the damage was already done.
The lone bright spot of the game came from the two newcomers to the team. Catcher Mike Miller and reliever Patrick Hicks arrived in Leesburg a few days ago from Dallas Baptist after their school was bounced from the College World Series, but not before upsetting some prominent Universities on the way. Miller had a pair of singles and threw out a couple would-be base stealers. Hicks, who came on in relief of White, was solid through his three innings on the mound.
The game exploded in the fifth inning after a series of questionable calls. First baseman Zane Evans (Georgia Tech) came up to bat in a good hitting situation with runners on and was called out on strikes on a questionable call. Evans argued the strike call and was subsequently ejected from the game. Manager Dave Therneau came in defense of Evans, and he too, found himself tossed out of the game.
The Lightning never recovered from the early deficit and the Freedom (2-11) closed out the game. The last place Freedom were starved for a win and Sunday’s victory represents just their second win on the season.
The Lightning have a day off Monday, then return to Pat Thomas Stadium on Tuesday, June 21 to face the Sanford River Rats at 7:00 p.m.
Nick Beardi (Medaille College)