Lightning Can't Finish Off Sweep of Winter Park

WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs avoided a three-game sweep Saturday night, defeating the Leesburg Lightning, 3-1, at Alfond Stadium.

Winter Park took control early, scoring twice in the opening inning. Roberto Odor reached on a walk, stole second and scored on Hutson Guinn's RBI single to left. Garrett Frost later crossed the plate on a passed ball to give the Diamond Dawgs a 2-0 advantage.

The Lightning threatened throughout the night but were limited to four hits by the Winter Park pitching staff. Daniel Despaine led the offense with two hits, while Dylan Green and Charlie Keller each added a single.

Leesburg broke through in the seventh inning after Hayden Gustavson reached on a hit-by-pitch and advanced into scoring position. Despaine followed with a single before Marcello Cortale brought Gustavson home with an RBI groundout, trimming the deficit to 2-1.

Winter Park answered in the eighth with an insurance run. Odor singled, stole second and came around to score on Guinn's second RBI single of the night, extending the lead to 3-1.

Despite the loss, the Lightning received another strong effort from the bullpen. Miguel Figueroa tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts, while Lucas Perez added a scoreless seventh inning. Cole Jones allowed an unearned run in the eighth.

Logan Baisley took the loss despite allowing just one earned run over 2 1/3 innings.

Leesburg took two of three games in the series and returns home Monday to face the Orlando Snappers at Pat Thomas Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Adam Rothschild (Susquehanna University)