Keller’s Three-Run Blast Powers Lightning Past DeLand

Leesburg, Fla. – Strong pitching and a powerful swing from Charlie Keller helped propel the Leesburg Lightning to a 6-2 victory over the DeLand Suns on Tuesday night at Pat Thomas Stadium.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second inning, the Lightning offense remained patient and finally broke through in the fifth. Hudson Reed opened the frame with a double before moving into scoring position. A DeLand error allowed the tying run to score, and Leesburg took advantage of another defensive miscue to grab a 2-1 lead.

The Suns answered with a run in the sixth to even the game at 2-2, but the Lightning quickly responded in the bottom half of the inning. With two runners aboard, Charlie Keller launched a three-run home run to center field, giving Leesburg a 5-2 advantage and igniting the home crowd.

Leesburg added an insurance run in the eighth inning after Cory Banasiak singled and later came around to score, extending the lead to 6-2.

Keller finished the night 1-for-4 with the decisive three-run homer and three RBIs. Reed collected a double and scored a run, while KT Thompson continued his strong start to the season by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base. Banasiak added a hit and a run scored, and Marcello Cortale chipped in with a base hit.

The Lightning pitching staff turned in another impressive performance. Bryce Gluckman got the start and worked four innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out three.

Lucas Perez bridged the middle innings, escaping a difficult fifth inning despite issuing four walks and limiting the damage to a single run. Carson Henrikson earned the victory with three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing one hit while striking out two. Cody Clymer needed only three pitches to retire the side in a perfect ninth inning and close out the win.

Leesburg matched DeLand with seven hits but made the most of its opportunities, capitalizing on three Suns errors while receiving another strong effort from its pitching staff.

With the victory, the Lightning improved to 4-1 on the season and will meet the Sanford River Rats for the first time this year at Sanford Memorial Stadium on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)