2016 Season Preview
Leesburg Lightning
Head Coach: Rich Billings (Second Season)
2015 Record: 22-19 (Home: 13-9, Away: 11-10)
Returning Players
Clay Simmons: Sophomore, SS (Columbia State Community College)
Josh Pagliei: Junior, SS (Flagler College)
Austin Simmons: Junior, CF (Thomas University)
Dan Twitty: Junior, P (St. Leo University)
Tanner Long: Junior, OF (Thomas University)
Igor Baez: Junior, C (Flagler College)
MacLain Larson: Junior, P (Flagler College)
Call Graham: Junior, P (Florida Southern)
Drew Peden: Junior, P (Florida Atlantic)
Walker Burgess: Junior, P (Florida Southern)
Key Additions
Zach McMullen: Junior, P (University of South Alabama)
Jose Bonilla: Sophomore, OF (Florida Atlantic)
Chris Lake: Sophomore, P (Flagler College)
Cornell Nixon: Junior, SS (Eastern Kentucky University)
One run.
That was all that separated the Leesburg Lightning from being crowned Florida Collegiate Summer League champions in 2015. A 1-0 loss to the Sanford River Rats curbed the Lightning from winning their third FCSL Championship in six appearances.
When the 2015 season commenced, the Lightning welcomed familiar face Rich Billings as their new head coach. Billings returned to Leesburg where he had served stints as an assistant coach for the Lightning during their inaugural season — 2007 — and in 2012. Billings returns for his second season and will bring with him a new coaching staff.
Fresh off the Lightning roster in 2015, Doug Teegarden will return to Leesburg as an assistant coach while Leesburg’s inaugural head coach Josh Holt will also return as pitching coach.
“Doug is fresh off a playing career and eager to begin coaching,” Coach Billings said. “He’s young but really wants to get here and start teaching the players everything he knows about the game.”
The Lightning pitching staff will be in good hands with Josh Holt, who coached the team during their inaugural season — leading them to a championship.
“Josh has always been an outstanding pitching coach and I know he genuinely cares about his pitching staff improving everyday,” Billings said.
To the 2016 roster, the Lightning will feature 10 returning players from last year’s squad.
On the offensive side, Josh Pagliei and Austin Simmons will look to step up once again in large roles for Leesburg.
“Josh and Austin were great for us last year,” Billings said. “I have no doubt that I’ll be able to call on them to pick up those big hits when we need them.”
Tanner Long, who played in every game last season, leading the team in batting average and RBIs, will look to be a key mainstay in the Lightning lineup.
On the mound, Leesburg will also return a few key arms. Closer Drew Peden came up big for the Lightning in 2015, recording eight saves with a 1.15 ERA, and will look to do much of the same this season.
“Drew will look to be a huge factor in whether or not we’re successful this year and is always striving to break the saves record,” Billings said. “It’s all he ever talks about.”
As for new faces on the Lightning roster, Billings is very enthusiastic about the new guys he’s brought in.
“Zachary McMullen is a talented left-handed arm and should have a pretty good chance of being one of our starters,” Billings said.
From a more familiar angle, Jose Bonilla will look to make the same impact he made while playing for Billings at Florida Atlantic during his freshman season.
“He brings a lot of energy at the plate and shows great speed and a strong arm in the outfield,” Billings said. “I think he’ll quickly become a fan favorite.”
Cornell Nixon will also look to bring an abundance of enthusiasm to the lineup, as well as speed on the base paths.
The Lightning will open up the Florida League regular season on Thursday June 2, when they travel to Sanford Memorial Stadium to take on the Sanford River Rats. It will be a rematch of last year’s championship game at Tropicana Field. Opening day festivities will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the first pitch slated for 7:00 p.m.
Leesburg will play their home opener the following evening when they host the River Rats for game two of a home-and-home series to begin the season. First pitch from Pat Thomas Stadium will be 7:00 p.m.
Billings is thrilled for another summer of outstanding baseball in Leesburg and knows his team shares that same enthusiasm.
“The season opener in Sanford will be an excellent test right off the bat for both teams,” Billings said. “It should be a fun night and a great way to kick off the season!”
Notable dates throughout the summer include the U.S. Military All-Stars game on June 25th at Pat Thomas Stadium, and an extra special home game on the Fourth of July against the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. The Florida League All-Star Game will also be played on July 9th at Sanford Memorial Stadium.
The Home of the Lightning
The Lightning play their home games at Pat Thomas Stadium-Buddy Lowe Field. A stadium enriched in decades of history, it has been the home of the Lightning since their inaugural season in 2007.
It was the first lighted baseball stadium in the state of Florida and was opened for business in 1937 as The Ballpark at Venetian Gardens. It has also been the home of several different minor league affiliates: The St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates, just to name a few.
REMINDER
Be sure to follow the Lightning on social media all summer long for scoring updates, promotional nights, and much more.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leesburglightning
Twitter: @FCSL_Lightning
Instagram: leesburg_lightning
We look forward to seeing you out at Pat Thomas Stadium for another successful Lightning season!
Eddie Poe (York College of Pennsylania)