Lightning Fall in FCSL Championship
Written by Michael Harris
Despite great pitching and great defense the Leesburg Lightning lost Thursday night, 1-0, to the Winter Park Diamond Dogs in the Florida Collegiate Summer League at Tropicana Field.
“The kids played, we gave ourselves a chance,” Manager Frank Viola said. “We had two good opportunities, one in the second and one in the eighth.”
Spencer Theisen scored the only run of the game when he drew a walk, stole second and came in on Chase Okey’s single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ironically, Okey, plays locally for Lake Sumter Community College and lives in Mount Dora.
Michael Gonzalez and Danny Baatz reached on singles to leadoff the second inning for the Lightning and each advanced a base on a fielder’s choice. Winter Park’s Nick Goody was able to get the next two batters to get out of the inning. Goody pitched seven innings allowing just two hits and striking out nine.
In the eighth, Nick DelGuidice doubled to left field, but relief pitcher Jake Boyd retired the next three batters for the Diamond Dogs.
In their four years of existence, the Lightning have played in the Championship game each of those winning in 2007 and 2009. This year, despite having a regular season mark of 19-23 and a slow start, the Lightning advanced to the championship winning two playoff games to get there.
“We really came together as a team,” said Viola, a former Cy Young winner and World Series MVP with the Minnesota Twins. “Once they got the team concept good things happen and we played strong at the end. This team became like a mini-family.”
This was Viola’s third year as manager of the Lightning and though he’s looking for a college coaching position, he’s been pleased with his time in Leesburg and may return next year.
“I think I’ve found a home in Leesburg,” he said. “The people of Leesburg have been so tremendous.”
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