The Lightning Come Back To Win Game Three, Clinch Spot in Championship Series
(Leesburg, Fla.)- The Leesburg Lightning were able to fend off the Sanford River Rats with a walk-off in the 10th to put the Bolts in their fifth straight league championship series.
In the bottom of the 2nd, C Drew Stubbs would connect for the first run of the game on an RBI-single to put Leesburg out in front, 1-0.
The lead would be short lived in the top of the 3rd, with Sanford plating across four runs, including two coming from a right field blast by Manny Santana.
However, in the 4th, the Lightning would inch back closer, scoring two runs, including one off an RBI-single from Gabriel Santiago, trailing the River Rats 4-3.
Pitching would come in key in the later innings with Tanner Walker and Clayton Hendry allowing no runs across the final 4 to 5 innings before the 9th were Leesburg would turn the page by scoring in the tying run off a Riley Fitzgerald sacrifice to put things at 4-4.
In the 10th, Leesburg would hold off Sanford offensively and in the bottom of the inning, Orlando Pena would connect on a walk-off bases loaded opportunity, to give Leesburg a 5-4 victory and a spot in the championship.
Orlando Pena had been stellar during the series, connecting on two home runs and two doubles, including the walk-off base hit in the 10th.
Now, Leesburg sets its sights on the DeLand Suns, meeting the Suns for the first time in a championship series setting, last playing the Suns in the championship in 2012.
For the Lightning, this is now their fifth straight league championship series dating back to 2020. The team will also look to find some success in an even year, having won every single championship during an odd season.
First Pitch for Game 1 of the FCSL Championship Series is set for 7 p.m. at Pat Thomas Stadium, with the Lightning hosting both Game 1 and Game 3, if necessary.
Dylan Spaulding (University of South Florida)
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Batting
| Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
| Shaw, cf |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Santana, rf |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| Cole, lf |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Lopez, 1b |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Pynes, dh |
4 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
| Hart, dh |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Williamson, 2b |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Saleeba, c |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Davis, 3b |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Prybylla, 3b |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Demetree, ss |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Batting
2B - Lopez, Pynes
HR - Santana
RBI - Santana 2, Pynes
GDP - Saleeba
HBP - Lopez
Baserunning
SB - Demetree
CS - Shaw
Fielding
E - Lopez, Saleeba, Davis, Prybylla
Pitching
| Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Riegel |
4.0 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
| Hendry |
4.0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
| Lepine, L |
1.1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
Wild Pitches - Riegel
Pitches/Strikes - Riegel 94/51, Hendry 62/44, Lepine 33/18
Groundouts/Flyouts - Riegel 2/8, Hendry 5/1, Lepine 1/2
Batters Faced - Riegel 22, Hendry 17, Lepine 9
Batting
| Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
|
Santiago, 2b |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Fitzgerald, rf |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Chapman, 3b |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Oriach, dh |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Furry, cf |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Strom, 1b |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Jenkins, ss |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Pena, dh |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kelly, lf |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stubbs, c |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Batting
2B - Pena
RBI - Santiago, Fitzgerald, Pena, Stubbs
HBP - Stubbs
Baserunning
SB - Santiago 2, Furry, Kelly
Fielding
E - Santiago 2, Jenkins
Pitching
Pitches/Strikes - Foster 79/58, Walker 45/27, Vieira 19/15
Groundouts/Flyouts - Foster 1/7, Walker 2/4, Vieira 1/3
Batters Faced - Foster 24, Walker 12, Vieira 6
River Rats
Batting
| Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
| Shaw, cf |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Santana, rf |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
| Cole, lf |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Lopez, 1b |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Pynes, dh |
4 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
| Hart, dh |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Williamson, 2b |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Saleeba, c |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Davis, 3b |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Prybylla, 3b |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Demetree, ss |
4 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Batting
2B - Lopez, Pynes
HR - Santana
RBI - Santana 2, Pynes
GDP - Saleeba
HBP - Lopez
Baserunning
SB - Demetree
CS - Shaw
Fielding
E - Lopez, Saleeba, Davis, Prybylla
Pitching
| Name |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Riegel |
4.0 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
| Hendry |
4.0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
| Lepine, L |
1.1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
Wild Pitches - Riegel
Pitches/Strikes - Riegel 94/51, Hendry 62/44, Lepine 33/18
Groundouts/Flyouts - Riegel 2/8, Hendry 5/1, Lepine 1/2
Batters Faced - Riegel 22, Hendry 17, Lepine 9
Lightning
Batting
| Name |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
|
Santiago, 2b |
4 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Fitzgerald, rf |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Chapman, 3b |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Oriach, dh |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Furry, cf |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Strom, 1b |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Jenkins, ss |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Pena, dh |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Kelly, lf |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stubbs, c |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Batting
2B - Pena
RBI - Santiago, Fitzgerald, Pena, Stubbs
HBP - Stubbs
Baserunning
SB - Santiago 2, Furry, Kelly
Fielding
E - Santiago 2, Jenkins
Pitching
Pitches/Strikes - Foster 79/58, Walker 45/27, Vieira 19/15
Groundouts/Flyouts - Foster 1/7, Walker 2/4, Vieira 1/3
Batters Faced - Foster 24, Walker 12, Vieira 6
Scoring Plays
Bottom 2nd
Drew Stubbs singled to left field, RBI. Trent Kelly advanced to second. Orlando Pena scored.
Top 3rd
Manny Santana homered to right field, 2 RBI. Kylen Davis scored.
Xavier Lopez singled to left center, advanced to second on a throwing error by 2b. Anthony Cole advanced to third, scored on the error, unearned.
Drew Pynes doubled down the lf line, RBI. Xavier Lopez scored, unearned.
Bottom 4th
Drew Stubbs reached on a throwing error by 3b, advanced to second on a throwing error by 1b. Orlando Pena advanced to third, scored on the error, unearned.
Gabriel Santiago singled to center field, RBI. Drew Stubbs scored, unearned.
Bottom 9th
Riley Fitzgerald flied out to rf, SF, RBI. Gabriel Santiago advanced to third. Trent Kelly scored, unearned.
Bottom 10th
Orlando Pena singled to left center, RBI. Ryan Jenkins advanced to second. Michael Furry advanced to third. Jordy Oriach scored.
All Plays
Top 1st
Kalayo Shaw singled to shortstop.
Manny Santana flied out to ss.
1 out
Kalayo Shaw out at second p to 1b to ss, caught stealing. 2 out
Anthony Cole struck out looking.
3 out
Bottom 1st
Gabriel Santiago flied out to cf.
1 out
Riley Fitzgerald grounded out to 2b.
2 out
Logan Chapman advanced to second on a wild pitch.
Michael Furry walked. Jordy Oriach advanced to second. Logan Chapman advanced to third.
James Strom struck out looking.
3 out
Top 2nd
Xavier Lopez doubled to right center.
Drew Pynes struck out swinging.
1 out
Preston Hart struck out looking.
2 out
Camden Williamson reached on a throwing error by ss. Xavier Lopez advanced to third.
Anthony Saleeba struck out swinging to catcher.
3 out
Bottom 2nd
Ryan Jenkins flied out to rf.
1 out
Orlando Pena doubled to right center, ground-rule.
Trent Kelly singled to third base. Orlando Pena advanced to third.
Drew Stubbs singled to left field, RBI. Trent Kelly advanced to second. Orlando Pena scored.
Gabriel Santiago grounded out to 3b. Drew Stubbs advanced to second. Trent Kelly advanced to third.
2 out
Riley Fitzgerald fouled out to 3b.
3 out
Top 3rd
Robbie Demetree flied out to cf.
1 out
Kalayo Shaw fouled out to c.
2 out
Manny Santana homered to right field, 2 RBI. Kylen Davis scored.
Anthony Cole singled to third base.
Xavier Lopez singled to left center, advanced to second on a throwing error by 2b. Anthony Cole advanced to third, scored on the error, unearned.
Drew Pynes doubled down the lf line, RBI. Xavier Lopez scored, unearned.
Preston Hart flied out to rf.
3 out
Bottom 3rd
Logan Chapman struck out swinging.
1 out
Jordy Oriach lined out to rf.
2 out
James Strom flied out to rf.
3 out
Top 4th
Camden Williamson reached on a throwing error by 2b.
Anthony Saleeba grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b. Camden Williamson out on the play, interference.
2 out
Kylen Davis popped up to ss.
3 out
Bottom 4th
Ryan Jenkins flied out to cf.
1 out
Trent Kelly flied out to cf.
2 out
Drew Stubbs reached on a throwing error by 3b, advanced to second on a throwing error by 1b. Orlando Pena advanced to third, scored on the error, unearned.
Gabriel Santiago singled to center field, RBI. Drew Stubbs scored, unearned.
Gabriel Santiago stole second.
Riley Fitzgerald flied out to lf.
3 out
Top 5th
Robbie Demetree flied out to cf.
1 out
Kalayo Shaw flied out to cf.
2 out
Manny Santana singled through the right side.
Anthony Cole singled to left center. Manny Santana advanced to second.
Xavier Lopez hit by pitch. Anthony Cole advanced to second. Manny Santana advanced to third.
Tanner Walker replaces Daniel Foster at pitcher.
Drew Pynes struck out swinging.
3 out
Bottom 5th
Clayton Hendry replaces Jacob Riegel at pitcher.
Logan Chapman struck out swinging.
1 out
Jordy Oriach grounded out to 2b.
2 out
Michael Furry grounded out to ss.
3 out
Top 6th
Preston Hart grounded out to 3b.
1 out
Camden Williamson fouled out to rf down the rf line.
2 out
Anthony Saleeba grounded out to ss.
3 out
Bottom 6th
James Strom flied out to cf.
1 out
Ryan Jenkins struck out looking.
2 out
Orlando Pena grounded out to p.
3 out
Top 7th
Kylen Davis struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b.
1 out
Robbie Demetree singled to first base.
Kalayo Shaw flied out to lf.
2 out
Robbie Demetree stole second.
Manny Santana flied out to rf.
3 out
Bottom 7th
Trent Kelly grounded out to 2b.
1 out
Drew Stubbs hit by pitch.
Gabriel Santiago singled to shortstop. Drew Stubbs advanced to second.
Riley Fitzgerald struck out swinging.
2 out
Logan Chapman struck out swinging.
3 out
Top 8th
Xavier Lopez struck out swinging.
1 out
Drew Pynes struck out swinging.
2 out
Preston Hart fouled out to c.
3 out
Bottom 8th
Jordy Oriach singled through the right side.
Michael Furry grounded out to p, SAC, bunt. Jordy Oriach advanced to second.
1 out
James Strom intentionally walked.
Ryan Jenkins struck out swinging.
2 out
Orlando Pena struck out swinging.
3 out
Top 9th
Nick Vieira replaces Tanner Walker at pitcher.
Camden Williamson flied out to rf.
1 out
Anthony Saleeba grounded out to 3b.
2 out
Kylen Davis popped up to ss.
3 out
Bottom 9th
Andrew Prybylla replaces Kylen Davis at third base.
Trent Kelly reached on a fielding error by 3b.
Andrew Lepine replaces Clayton Hendry at pitcher.
Trent Kelly stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by c.
Drew Stubbs struck out swinging.
1 out
Gabriel Santiago stole second.
Riley Fitzgerald flied out to rf, SF, RBI. Gabriel Santiago advanced to third. Trent Kelly scored, unearned.
2 out
Logan Chapman grounded out to p.
3 out
Top 10th
Robbie Demetree struck out swinging.
1 out
Kalayo Shaw struck out looking.
2 out
Manny Santana flied out to lf.
3 out
Bottom 10th
Michael Furry singled to right center. Jordy Oriach advanced to second.
James Strom fouled out to c. Jordy Oriach advanced to third.
1 out
Michael Furry stole second.
Ryan Jenkins intentionally walked.
Orlando Pena singled to left center, RBI. Ryan Jenkins advanced to second. Michael Furry advanced to third. Jordy Oriach scored.
3 out
