Comeback Effort by Lightning Falls Short in 11-9 Loss

Winter Park, Fla. – The Leesburg Lightning battled back from an early seven-run deficit and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, but ultimately fell to the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, 11-9, Sunday night at Alfond Stadium.

After falling behind 4-0 in the second inning, the Lightning quickly answered in the top of the third. Cory Banasiak put Leesburg on the board with an RBI single before KT Thompson lined a run-scoring hit into left field. An error on the play allowed another run to score, and a wild pitch later in the inning brought home Dylan Green to tie the game at 4-4.

Winter Park responded immediately with its biggest offensive inning of the night. The Diamond Dawgs sent 12 batters to the plate in the bottom of the third and scored seven runs on five hits to take an 11-4 lead.

Despite the setback, Leesburg continued to chip away. The Lightning scored three runs in the sixth inning, taking advantage of a pair of Winter Park errors. Gabe Campos delivered an RBI single, while Jack Waddingham scored on a throwing error to trim the deficit to 11-7.

Leesburg added another run in the seventh when Hudson Reed singled home Thompson, making it an 11-8 game.

The Lightning mounted one final push in the ninth inning. Green opened the frame by reaching base and later scored on Thompson's RBI double to right-center field, cutting the lead to two runs. However, Winter Park reliever Andrew Barr recorded the final outs to secure the save and preserve the 11-9 victory.

Thompson paced the Lightning offense, finishing 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs, two walks and a run scored. Green scored twice and doubled, while Reed, Campos and Banasiak each drove in a run. Leesburg drew eight walks on the night and capitalized on four Winter Park errors.

On the mound, Austin MacCardle provided a bright spot out of the bullpen. The right-hander tossed three scoreless innings, allowing no hits while striking out five. Cody Clymer followed with a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two.

The Lightning recorded eight hits and scored nine runs but could not overcome Winter Park's 11-run outburst in the second and third innings.

Leesburg fell to 2-1 on the season and will return home to face the defending champion Orlando Snappers on Monday, June 1, at Pat Thomas Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)