Lightning Baseball Team Strikes Again

Behind solid pitching from John Lebinski and Kyler Harmeling, the Newtown Lightning’s 13-year-old Prep Summer League team boosted its undefeated record to 3-0 with a 7-5 win over Aspetuck Monday at Redding’s Boys & Girls Club Field.

Tied 5-5 in the sixth inning, the Lightning’s Ben Stoller walked, Mike Scharfenberg crushed a double to right field and Harmeling was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Lebinski followed with a clutch two-RBI single to right field that scored Stoller and Scharfenberg.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Harmeling retired Aspetuck in order to close out the game and get the win. He gave up one run without a hit and struck out five during the final three innings.

 Lebinski yielded two earned runs and struck out five during the first three innings.

Pat Thornberg, Mike LoBosco and Kyler Harmeling smacked two hits each. One of LoBosco’s hits was a hard-hit RBI double down the left field line in the first inning. Other RBIs were recorded by Stoller, Dean Baye and Nicky Sajovic.

Left fielder Mario Pizighelli and center fielder Jack Champagne played a great defensive games, tracking down several fly balls.

The Lightning players have their work cut out for them this weekend. They play a day-night doubleheader Saturday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Sandy Hook’s Walnut Tree Field.