Florida Collegiate Summer League: Leesburg Lightning outlast DeLand Suns in walk-off win
LEESBURG — The Leesburg Lightning topped DeLand Friday 4-3 in walk-off fashion at Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field.
With the win — Leesburg’s second straight in the three-game series — the Lightning improved to 8-5 on the season, while DeLand remained winless (0-10).
In the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs, a wild pitch slipped past Suns catcher Sean McArdle, allowing Gabriel Santiago to score from third base. Santiago’s teammates mobbed him at home plate as the Lightning celebrated their second straight game.
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“Our energy wasn’t great, but I think our guys are just cool, calm, collected and won’t ever get too high or too low,” Billings said. “We figured out a way to get it done and it wasn't pretty, but sometimes that's the way it goes.”
Another double digit hit performance from the Leesburg offense produced 10 hits, three of which went for extra bases.
“We’re starting to barrel up some baseballs and we’re starting to have some success.” Billings said. “I think it's going to be a fun team to watch these next couple of weeks.”
After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, catcher Jakob Runnels tied the game with one swing of the bat in the third with an absolute no-doubt home run to left field. Runnels’ first of the year and second extra-base hit.
“That at bat was so important in the game,” Billings said. “It was good to see (Runnels) get going tonight and he punched one through the right side with two strikes for his second hit and both of those were really good swings.”
Leesburg would cash in one more run in the inning as outfielder Marco Dinges doubled to left center and eventually scored on a passed ball.
Dinges was not done at the plate though as he drove in Gabriel Esquivel on a base hit to right field in the sixth inning to extend the Lightning lead to 3-1. He would finish the night 3-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
“We’ve got some guys that are really starting to swing the bat well; Marco Dinges is one of them doing a great job,” Billings said. “We’ve also got some guys that are just good at getting on base. Austin Brinling and Gabe Santiago, both of those guys are doing a great job of getting on and giving us a chance to score runs.”
Leesburg starting pitcher Najer Victor had the best start of any Lightning pitcher so far this summer. Victor went the longest of any starter — six innings — and allow a run on no hits and struck out seven.
“He did a fantastic job and gave us a shot,” Billings said. “I would love to get him a little more run support, I think he deserved the win.”
DeLand would come back to tie it up at three with a pair of runs in the seventh. An RBI single from outfielder Evan Griffis would pull the Suns within one, and a passed ball would even the score once again.
With two runners on and one out in the top of the ninth, freshman right-hander Justin Gay entered the ballgame and delivered two thirds of an inning, striking out the first batter he faced followed by a groundout to end the frame. Gay earns his third win of the season, achieving the best win/loss record in the Florida League at 3-0.
“Justin was awesome; he always is,” Billings said. “Every time he comes in, you get that calming feeling as a coach and from the defense as well. It really is a relief having a guy like that on the backside of your bullpen.”
Tom Cavanaugh is the communications intern for the Leesburg Lightning.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: College baseball: Leesburg Lightning outlast DeLand for walk-off win
