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Orlando, Fla- A classic pitcher’s duel saw the Snappers come out on top, forcing the Lightning to have to win tomorrow's game to keep their season alive. Leesburg surrendered just one earned run and saw stellar outings from all four pitchers. 

 

Starting RHP Ryan Furey (UNF) cruised through his first two frames, racking up three strikeouts before he ran into trouble in the 3rd. An error by SS Ryan Jenkins (Carson-Newman) trying to turn the double play, allowed for a run to score, giving Orlando a 1-0 lead. 

 

The Snappers lead would be short-lived as the Lightning answered back in the 4th with 3B Reid Snider (LA Tech) grounding into a double play which scored a run, tying the game at 1-1. 

 

In the bottom of the inning, Orlando took the lead again after back-to-back RBI doubles plated a run, making it 2-1. 

 

Furey wrapped up his outing with 3.2 innings of work, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out four before exiting in the 4th. RHP Lex Sanchez (USF) came on to get one out and would strikeout the first batter he saw which stranded two Snappers on the bases. 

 

Sanchez provided two more innings of quality relief, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out three. 

 

The Lightning offense was retired in order for three straight innings starting in the fifth, struggling to generate any momentum.

 

RHP Carson Henrikson (Hillsborough CC) and RHP Steven Rojas (Pasco-Hernando St) both threw scoreless frames allowing just one hit between the two of them. 

 

In the 8th, 2B Ledger Pleasant (St. Johns River St) had a leadoff double, but Leesburg was unable to get him home as the next three batters were sat down in order. 

 

With the team needing just one more run in the 9th, the Snappers once again got a 1-2-3 inning which sealed the deal, giving them the 2-1 victory to go up 1-0 in the series. 

 

Despite the loss, Coach Billings was proud of how sharp his bullpen was tonight and how they stack up against the rest of the league. 

 

“They were fantastic, I still think we have the best bullpen in the league,” said Billings. “They were great tonight, they came in, they competed, and they threw strikes from Lex Sanchez all the way to Steven Rojas and Ryan Furey for that matter.”

 

The Lightning head back home for a must win game against the Snappers to keep the season alive by forcing a game 3. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Pat Thomas Stadium. 

 

Vic Maslia (Syracuse University)