Leesburg Bats Quiet in Rare Shutout Loss

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Leesburg Lightning were shut out for the first time this season Thursday night, falling 7-0 to the DeLand Suns at Pat Thomas Stadium.

DeLand struck first in the second inning, taking advantage of five walks issued by Lightning starter Gavin Dicks. The Suns pushed across two runs despite recording just one hit through the first three innings, building an early 2-0 lead.

Leesburg had opportunities to answer throughout the night, drawing six walks and putting multiple runners on base, but the Lightning were unable to come up with a timely hit. The club stranded 11 runners and finished with four hits.

Bryan Burtoft provided a strong relief outing after entering in the third inning. The right-hander worked 4 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and one unearned run while striking out three. Austin MacCardle followed with a scoreless eighth inning, striking out two.

The Suns added an insurance run in the sixth before breaking the game open in the eighth. Torin Foley delivered the biggest swing of the night with a bases-clearing triple, while Boomer Rogozinski Jr., Noah Prudencio, and Richard Collazo also drove in runs during the four-run frame.

Marcello Cortale led the Lightning offense with a double and a stolen base. Hudson Reed, Preston Murphy, and Cory Banasiak accounted for Leesburg's other three hits.

DeLand starter Ethan Diaz earned the win after tossing five scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out two. Ryan Kelley and John Carroll combined to finish the shutout, limiting the Lightning to one hit over the final four innings.

Dicks was charged with the loss, allowing two runs over 2 1/3 innings.

Despite the setback, Leesburg remains atop the standings at 9-2 and will begin a five-game road trip by continuing this series against the DeLand Suns. The next matchup is scheduled for Friday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at Conrad Park in DeLand.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)