Lightning Roll Past Squeeze in 16-0 Rout

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — The Leesburg Lightning turned in one of their most dominant performances of the season Thursday night, erupting for 16 runs on 18 hits while limiting the Winter Garden Squeeze to just two hits in a 16-0 victory.

After scoring single runs in the second and third innings, the Lightning broke the game open with a nine-run fourth inning. Leesburg sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame, collecting six hits and capitalizing on defensive miscues to build an 11-0 lead.

Jack Waddingham started the rally with an RBI single before Preston Murphy followed with a run-scoring hit of his own. Gabe Campos added a two-run single, Andon Gray contributed an RBI single, Dylan Green ripped a two-run double down the left-field line, and Charlie Keller capped the inning with an RBI single.

The Lightning continued to add on in the later innings. Turner Gross drove in a run with a double in the sixth before Hudson Reed followed with an RBI double of his own. Campos added another RBI single in the seventh, and Gray closed out the scoring with a sacrifice fly to make it 16-0.

Nearly every member of the Leesburg lineup contributed offensively. Green led the way, going 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Campos finished a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored, while Gray drove in three runs. Gross went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored.

Waddingham collected two hits and scored twice, Murphy added two hits and an RBI, and Keller finished 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs. The Lightning totaled 18 hits and scored in five different innings.

On the mound, Gavin Dicks delivered another strong outing, allowing just two hits over four scoreless innings while striking out five to earn his second victory of the season. Andre Bilbao Jr., Miguel Figueroa and Bryan Burtoft combined to throw the final three innings without allowing a hit, completing the two-hit shutout.

Leesburg also played a clean game defensively, committing no errors while backing a dominant pitching performance.

With the win, the Lightning improved to 12-3 and will continue their series against the Squeeze on Friday at 7 p.m. at Pat Thomas Stadium.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)