Lightning Break Open Tie Game, Defeat Diamond Dawgs 8-2

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Leesburg Lightning erupted for six runs in the sixth inning to pull away from the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs for an 8-2 victory Friday night at Pat Thomas Stadium, improving to 22-8 on the season.

Leesburg struck first in the third inning when Cory Banasiak reached on a hit-by-pitch, stole second and came home on a Matthew Dumas RBI single to left-center, giving the Lightning a 1-0 lead.

Winter Park answered with single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to briefly move in front, 2-1. Jake Biaggi was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in the tying run before Luke Manderson connected on a solo home run in the sixth.

The Lightning immediately responded with their biggest inning of the night.

Jack Waddingham reached base to begin the frame and advanced into scoring position before Matthew Dumas stole second and continued home on a throwing error by the catcher to tie the game at 2-2. Moments later, Ledger Pleasant stole second while Dumas raced home on a double steal to put Leesburg back in front.

Charlie Keller followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-2 before Daniel Despaine lined a two-run single through the left side, advancing to second on a throwing error as Dylan Green and Keller both scored. Cory Banasiak capped the six-run outburst with an RBI single to right, stretching the advantage to 7-2.

Dylan Green added the finishing touch in the eighth inning, launching a solo home run to left field for his first home run of the summer to make it 8-2.

Although the Lightning collected 10 hits, they also took advantage of three Winter Park errors that led to several key runs during the decisive sixth inning.

Despaine paced the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Dumas finished 1-for-2 with an RBI, three stolen bases and two runs scored. Keller doubled, drove in a run and scored, while Green homered and crossed the plate twice. Hayden Gustavson added two hits, and Banasiak drove in a run and scored.

On the mound, Brandon Reiter was dominant in his start, striking out eight over four scoreless innings while allowing four hits. Bryan Burtoft earned his first win of the season after tossing 2 1/3 innings of relief, and Cody Clymer closed the door with two scoreless innings, striking out three. Combined, Lightning pitchers struck out 16 Diamond Dawgs batters.

Leesburg will look to complete the three-game sweep Saturday at Alfond Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)