Winter Garden unlucky in 6-3 loss at Leesburg
LEESBURG, Fla. - A pair of fly balls got lost in the sky defensively for Winter Garden, plating three runs for Leesburg, which proved to be the difference maker in the 6-3 loss to the Lightning Monday night.
The first fly ball came in the fifth inning with two away in a 2-1 ballgame in favor of Leesburg. Ryan Jenkins (Carson Newman) skied one into left-center field which was thought to be an inning ending routine fly out. However, both the left fielder and center fielder threw their hands up as the ball fell onto the outfield grass, scoring as a two-rbi double for Jenkins.
Two batters later, Collin Priest (Michigan) popped up a ball down left field line. Just like the previous fly ball, the ball fell into the outfield grass due to being lost in the night sky, giving Priest his second extra base hit of the night and the Lighting a 5-1 lead. Priest launched a home run in the fourth to break a 1-1 tie.
The Squeeze had a small rally brewing with one away in the eighth inning. Five straight Winter Garden hitters reached base and Brody Pezza (Florida SouthWestern) and Titan Kamaka (Florida State) both came around to score. Todd Clay (UAB) hit a double in the inning, but was thrown out attempting to steal third. Ben Maskine (Erskine) would be hit by a pitch and advance to third off two wild pitches during Tripp Landers' (Florida SouthWestern) walk, but was ultimately left 90 feet away due to an inning ending strikeout.
Andrew Furey (Florida Southern) got the start for the Squeeze going four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three. Jacob Iverson (Emory & Henry) pitched two innings in relief and was tagged with three earned runs, the three runs that scored in the fifth. Mark Chappa (Texas A&M International) finished the game for the Squeeze throwing the final two innings allowing just one hit and one run while striking out four.
Winter Garden will host Leesburg Tuesday night in the final game of two for the Squeeze’s tenth anniversary game in Winter Garden. First pitch is set for 7pm EST.
