sfoggi posted on July 26, 2011 21:02
LEESBURG, Fla. (July 26, 2011) - The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs (21-10) picked up a road win at Pat Thomas Stadium Tuesday night as they beat Leesburg Lightning 1-0.
“That’s the best pitching performance all year against the best team,” said Head Coach Kevin Davidson.
In a game that showcased pitching all the way through, Winter Park’s Ben Brown (University of Tampa) was able to outdo Leesburg’s Ethan Bader (Lake Sumter Community College). Brown tossed 8 1/3 shutout innings, surrendering six hits and striking out eight.
“[Brown] did a super job, you couldn’t have asked for more,” said Pitching Coach Kevin Gallaher.
Bader was dealt his first loss of the season in a seven-inning performance in which he gave up one run and struck out seven.
“Give it to their guy Ethan, he has electric stuff,” said Davidson.
Brown carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning and had four 1-2-3 innings, while Bader carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning and had three 1-2-3 innings.
The pitching duel dominated the majority of the game, but in the top of the sixth inning, Bader hit Ted Blackman (Coastal Carolina) with a pitch to start the inning. Dustin DeMuth (Indiana University) followed with a successful bunt to move Blackman to second base. That brought B.J. Zimmerman (University of Tampa) to the plate, but he grounded out to the short stop, moving Blackman to third with two outs. Bader fell behind in the count, 3-1, to the next batter, Austin Chubb (Florida Southern), and he came through in the clutch with a single to right field to plate the only run of the game.
“Two out hits win you ball games, and today it did, that was a big hit by Chubb,” said Davidson.
The Lightning responded in the bottom of the frame by getting a leadoff runner on base, but he would be erased on a 1-6-3 double play started by Brown to keep Leesburg from answering.
“I was able to stay calm with runners on base, and didn’t try to do too much,” said Brown.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Dawgs were able to get a runner to second base with two outs but they failed to add.
Nonetheless, in the very next inning, Winter Park threatened again with runners on first and second with two outs, but could not take advantage of the late inning opportunity.
Brown would come out to finish the game in the ninth, which opened up with a bloop single by Mike Albaladejo (Florida Atlantic University) and a seeing-eye single by Thomas Sicking (Texas-Pan American). Brown and the Diamond Dawgs defense kept their composure to foil Hunter Mayfield’s (Rollins College) sacrifice bunt attempt in the very next at-bat. Chubb, the catcher, was able to quickly jump out in front of the plate to throw out the lead runner, Albaladejo, at third base.
“Ben Brown was unbelievable and clutch,” said Davidson.
Closer Chris Waltermire (Polk State College) entered the game to finish off the Lightning (25-11). He was able to record the second out of the inning with a foul pop out to Chubb by Chase Durham (Howard College).
With the Leesburg fans on their feet, Christian Coburn (College of Central Florida) was able to extend the game on an infield single, loading the bases for Jon Beary (Pensacola State). The count ran full on Beary, and with all of the runners on the move, Waltermire struck him out looking to end the game for his fourth save of the season.
“That win gives us some much-needed momentum headed into tomorrow,” said Davidson.
Winter Park will take on the Orlando Freedom Wednesday, July 27 at Orel Hershiser Field at The First Academy. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
Mitchell Adams (UCF)