By, Zack Smolen

Leesburg, FL – The Leesburg Storm (11-10-2) came into Saturday morning’s contest in need of a win in one of their two games that day to lock up the fourth seed in the playoffs, and they came through in a big way with a 13-0, run-rule victory over the DeLand Suns (5-18) at Pat Thomas Stadium. While a loss in their next game could still put the Storm in a winning percentage tie with the Seminole County Snappers (10-10-1), Leesburg owns the tiebreaker by virtue of their record against the Sanford River Rats (15-6), who they beat in two out of three games.

The offense was clicking in a way we’ve only seen a few times from the young team, as they put up the second-highest run total in team history, just one behind their high of 14 they scored against DeLand back on July 24. Leading the charge was veteran Parker Pillsbury (Southern Wesleyan) who went two for two with four RBI for his best offensive game of the season. “We were being pretty aggressive,” Pillsbury said, “we didn’t let many fastballs for strikes go by without hitting them hard.”

Lineup catalyst Alex Freeland (UCF) also had a big day at the plate, going two for three with a walk, three runs scored and a huge three-run triple in the bottom of the third inning. The play had the same effect as a grand slam with Freeland scoring off an errant throw from the outfield.

Leesburg’s pitching looked as sharp as it’s been all year with Dominick Madonna (UNF), Cooper Thacker (Southern Indiana) and Matthew Wiseman (Webber International) combining for five scoreless innings of three-hit baseball. The trio also walked just three batters and struck out four Suns.

DeLand looked like they were going to jump out early against the Storm, loading the bases with one out in the top of the first inning before Freeland made a tremendous play to snare a line drive and flip the ball to Cameron Fredrick (Creighton) for an inning-ending double play.

While his team failed to put a run on the board, Christian Pregent (Stetson) closed out his season with a two for two day at the plate, making him four for his last six at Pat Thomas Stadium.

The Suns were officially eliminated from postseason eligibility with the loss. They needed a win and a Seminole County Loggerheads (5-16-1) loss to nab the sixth and final seed.

Leesburg will finish off their regular season with a 1:30pm matchup against the Leesburg Lightning (17-5) later on Saturday. The fourth edition of the Bad Weather Brawl will take place at Pat Thomas Stadium with the Lighting leading the season series two games to one.