Dawgs Fall to Lightning at Pat Thomas Stadium

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs dropped their seventh consecutive game Friday night, falling 8-2 to the Leesburg Lightning at Pat Thomas Stadium.

Newcomer Luke Manderson provided the biggest offensive highlight for Winter Park, launching a solo home run to center field in the sixth inning. The blast, his first of the season, gave the Diamond Dawgs a 2-1 lead before Leesburg answered with six runs in the bottom half of the inning. Manderson finished 1-for-4 with a home run, an RBI and a run scored.

Friday also marked the Diamond Dawgs debut for first baseman Hutson Guinn, who wasted little time making an impact. Guinn collected his first hit in a Winter Park uniform, finishing 1-for-4 while adding a stolen base.

Canyon Marcewicz continued his hot stretch at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a double and two singles to lead the Diamond Dawgs' offense.

On the mound, starter Wyatt Flack turned in a strong outing, allowing one run on three hits over five innings. He did not record a strikeout and threw 66 pitches.

Knute Rockey took the loss after allowing six runs, four earned, over one inning of relief while striking out one.

Anthony Filice pitched the final two innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four. His only run allowed came on a solo home run by Dylan Green in the eighth inning.

The loss dropped the Diamond Dawgs to 12-16-1 on the season, while the Lightning improved to 22-8.

The two teams conclude their three-game series Saturday at Alfond Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. as Winter Park looks to snap its seven-game losing streak.

Justin Baltes (University of Central Florida)