Read this article at the FCSL website.
SANFORD, Fla. (June 10, 2011) – The Sanford River Rats played eight innings of shutout baseball before giving up three runs in the ninth to fall 3-2 to the Leesburg Lightning at Historic Sanford Memorial Stadium Saturday night.
“It’s always tough when you lose, and especially when you play well,” River Rats Head Coach Stephen Piercefield said. “There are a bunch of positives to draw out of tonight, though. We played well enough to win the ball game, but you can never control outcomes. All you can control is how you go about the game and I think our guys did a great job of that.”
Right fielder James Ramsey (South Florida) scored both of Sanford’s runs. The first came on a sacrifice fly from second baseman Austin Liput (USC Upstate) in the fourth. The second was a solo home run in the eighth that put the Rats up 2-0.
River Rats (3-5) starting pitcher Bennie Sanchez (SCAD) gave up just two hits and two walks through six shutout innings. Neither Adam Maxon (Jacksonville) nor Adam Albers (St. Leo University) allowed runs in their one inning each of relief, and a series sweep seemed all but in hand going into the ninth inning.
Robert Stegbauer (Lincoln Memorial) took the mound to close out the game for Sanford, but walked Chase Durham (Howard College) and gave up singles to Tom Sicking (Texas Pan-American) and Mike Albaladejo (Florida Atlantic) to load the bases with no outs. Stegbauer was charged with the loss facing four batters in the top of the ninth.
Leesburg (7-1) third baseman Tyler Kellman (Lake Sumter CC) hit a two-RBI single to plate Durham and Sicking to tie the game. Right fielder Brandon Singer (Seminole State CC) had a fielder’s choice RBI to score Albaladejo and gave Leesburg the 3-2 lead.
Justin Pickens (Stetson) then took the mound and recorded three outs, including a strikeout to end the inning.
Despite getting two men on base in the home half of the ninth, Sanford couldn’t capitalize and took the heartbreaking loss.
Leesburg’s Michael Clutterbuck (Macomb CC) got the winning nod for the Lightning in three innings of work, striking out three. Dallas Baptist’s Carlton Patton shut the door on the Rats to pick up the save.
“We’re starting to come in the right direction, but we took another one-run loss,” Piercefield said. “It’s something the guys can continue to build on. These kinds of stretches… only help the team grow and get closer. We’re going to come out Tuesday refreshed and ready to go into week three.”
The River Rats have Sunday and Monday off before heading on the road to play Winter Park at Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field Tuesday, June 14. The first pitch is slated for 7pm.
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