Lowman and Gay sign Division 1 scholarship
Lowman, a left-handed pitcher and centerfielder will be playing for the Owls at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA.
Gay is taking his catching talents to Tennessee Tech where he will be playing for the Golden Eagles in Cookeville, TN.
Joining Will and Nate (l to r) are PCHS assistant coaches Brett Brooker and Jamie Ammons, head coach Greg Gay, PCHS atletic director Sean Pender and PCHS principal Anthony Smith.
The twosome join a short list of PCHS alum to play Division I baseball, only Eric Lairsey and Brett DeLoach (both with Georgia) had previously signed to play major college baseball.
Snappers Squeak Past Thunder
The Snappers scored three runs in the 3rd, a run in the 6th, and a run in the 7th. Nick Kociolek, who went 2-for-2 with two runs batted in, led the offense for Sanford. Thomas Gilmore added another RBI for the Snappers. Frankie Sagarese added two hits and a run to the cause, and David Weber, Austin Smith, Rick Welch, and Ismael Cruz scored runs.
The Sanford winning pitcher, Jacob Galura, tossed four innings and gave up just one run on two hits.
Nate Gay and Colby Lusignan drove in runs for the Thunder, and Lusignan was the offensive power for Leesburg, belting three hits.
Tyler Powell was the star pitcher for Leesburg, allowing just one hit and no runs in the 8th and 9th innings.
Leesburg Wins on Walk Off Sac Fly
Andrews, Colby Lusignan, and Andrew Reynolds scored runs on an error in the eighth inning to take a 4-3. A single in the ninth from DeLand’s Ryan Maxon scored Cody Light, the tying run, before Andrews’ heroics in the bottom half.
Leesburg’s first run was scored on a solo home run by Nate Gay, his first of the season. Landon Moore also added two hits for the Thunder.
The Thunder got good pitching performances from Tyler Powell, who threw two innings without surrendering an earned run, and Nicolas Duran, who recorded the win.
Two RBI’s by Brandon Vega and three hits by Maxon led Orlando’s offense. Alex Carrasco, who allowed just one run in four innings pitched, anchored the pitching staff.
Thunder Rolls to Saturday Sweep
Game 1 saw the Lightning score the decisive run in the bottom of the sixth from Brad Andrews. Andrew Reynolds and Nate Gay each had two hits in the game. The nightcap featured a home run and 3 RBI’s from Colby Lusignan. Brad Andrews knocked in four runs, and Reynolds knocked home another three in the five inning game.
Leesburg’s pitching was led by strong outings from relievers, as Kevin Juarbe earned the Game 1 win, and closer Stephen Bordenkircher slammed the door in the ninth. Reliever Nicolas Duran earned the win for the Lightning in Game 2.
Warthog hitting was led by a Game 2 home run from Vincent Leuzzi, and two total RBI’s from Anthony Malys.
Austin Glorius threw a complete game for the Warthogs in the Game 1 loss, striking out nine hitters.
Thunder Need Just Five Hits To Win
The Thunder recorded just five hits on the night. Landon Moore and Nate Gay each had two hits for Leesburg, and each knocked in a run. Greg Matthews had the other hit for the Lightning.
Leesburg used five different pitchers in the seven-inning game. The effort was led by winning pitcher Tyler Powell, who struck out two hitters in a perfect fifth, and closer Josh Ganus, who struck out the side to nail it down in the seventh.
Matthew Robinson led the Shockers at the plate, driving in two runs on a fourth inning single. The top pitcher for the Shockers was starter Michael Durig, who was dominant in his only inning of work, striking out two Leesburg hitters.
Thunder Bats Explode for 12-3 Win
Offensively, the Thunder were led by All-Star Colby Lusignan, who drove went 1 for 2 with three runs batted in, four runs scored and a home run. Greg Matthews also drove in three runs for the Thunder, and Nate Gay added two. Andrew Reynolds had two hits for Leesburg.
Thunder pitching was led by starter David Wood, who did not allow an earned run, surrendered just two hits, and struck out five hitters in four innings. Nicolas Duran also tossed two scoreless innings.
Cody Warren, who had two hits in the losing effort, paced the Loggerheads at the plate. Kyle LaPlant and Zac Burger drove in Lake Mary’s runs, and Warren, Matthew Jacobs, and Austin Allen scored the three runs for the Loggerheads in defeat.
On the mound, Burger was the most effective pitcher for the Loggerheads, tossing a scoreless, hitless ninth inning.
Snappers Withstand Leesburg Rally for Win
The Snappers broke a 1-1 deadlock in the sixth inning, scoring three runs to take their first lead of the game. An RBI single from Travis Holland and a two-run single from David Weber accounted for Sanford’s sixth inning scoring. The Snappers also added a run in the fourth, scored by Holland on a wild pitch, and a run in the eighth, brought in via a sacrifice fly from Kevin Corton. Ismael Cruz also scattered three hits for the Snappers.
Chris Elander earned the win for Sanford, allowing just one run on four hits in 5.1 innings pitched. Frankie Sagarese slammed the door in the ninth, recording the final out of the game to earn the save.
A ninth inning two-run home run from Nate Gay nearly sparked a bottom of the ninth comeback for Leesburg, as the Thunder would put the tying run on base before falling. The first Thunder run was scored on an RBI single from Brad Andrews.
Leesburg pitching was led by relievers Jordan Neal and David Wood. Neal allowed one hit on 1.2 innings, and Wood also allowed just one hit during his inning of work.
Thunder wins division championship
The Thunder will play a 25 game schedule in six Florida cities that include Deland (Cudas), Lake Mary (Loggerheads), Leesburg (Thunder), Orlando (Shockers), Sanford (Snappers) and Winter Garden (Warthogs).
So far, Nate has played in all 22 games with 66 official at bats, scoring 12 runs off of 17 hits including two doubles, a triple and two homers, has 14 RBI's, 11 walks, two stolen bases and has been hit by a pitch twice. Nate currently has a .258 batting average which is seventh best of the 15 players on the team. Nate is also in second place on the team in the homeruns and third in rbi stats.
With Tuesday's win over the Deland Cudas, the Thunder now have a 14-7-1 win-loss-tie record and captured the first place title in their division. The league playoffs will start Friday so stay tuned for updates.
Nate was also honored again with the "Player of the Week" for the last week of June and again the second week of July.
It was announced on July 6th that Nate made the All-Star team for the Western Division. The all-star game was be played on July 11th at Sanford Memorial Stadium and the West defeated the East by a score of 9-4.
The Florida Collegiate Summer League (Florida League) is a wood bat baseball league with six teams in Central Florida. Founded in 2003, the Florida League provides a valuable opportunity for college players to play wood bat baseball against top-level competition with the goal of preparing them for a career in professional baseball.
Thunder Win On Walkoff Single
The Thunder scored five runs in the game’s final two innings. Three runs were scored in the sixth inning on a RBI single by Brad Andrews, a sacrifice fly by Nate Gay, and a sacrifice fly from Chad Buckley. After surrendering a run in the seventh, the Thunder won with an RBI double by Collins and Reynolds’ game-winner. Brandon Singer also added three hits for Leesburg.
Buckley was Leesburg’s most effective pitcher, picking up the victory. Buckley tossed 2.1 innings, and allowed just one hit and one unearned run.
The Loggerheads were led at the plate by Taylor Perez, who belted a three-run home run in the third inning. Zac Burger also added two hits and two runs batted in for Lake Mary.
Starting pitcher Craig Hutchinson was solid for the Loggerheads, allowing just two runs and three hits in four innings pitched.
Six Run Fourth Sends Thunder to First-Place Showdown
The Thunder’s six run fourth was keyed by RBI walks from Nate Gay, Billy Mayberry, Greg Matthews, and Chad Buckley. Brandon Singer led the team offensively with two hits and a run scored.
Leesburg’s starter Buckley tossed all five innings in the victory. Buckley allowed just two earned runs and struck out three hitters.
The Loggerheads will need to win, or have Winter Garden lose, on Tuesday to secure the tournament’s third seed.
Lake Mary’s offense was supplied by Taylor Perez, who belted a two-run homer in the third inning. Perez went 2 for 2 on the day, while Kyle LaPlant, Austin Allen, Zac Burger, and Trey Huss had the other four hits for the Loggerheads.
Lake Mary starter Ben Link was dominant in his three innings on the mound, allowing just one hit while striking out four hitters.
Thunder Claim Top Seed
The Thunder completed their quest Tuesday at Conrad Park with a 4-3 victory over the DeLand Cudas. Both Leesburg and DeLand will receive a first-round bye in the tournament.
The Thunder scored three runs in the third and one run in the sixth. In the third inning, Leesburg took a 2-0 lead on a two-run double by Brad Andrews. The lead was extended to 3-0 on an RBI single by Nate Gay. Colby Lusignan, who has seen time for the Leesburg Lightning recently, scored the fourth run in the sixth. Lusignan led the team by going 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
Starter Andres Cancio was dominant, allowing just one hit and no walks over three innings. Chad Buckley worked himself out of a jam in the seventh inning to earn the save.
The Cudas nearly mounted a miraculous comeback in the top of the seventh inning. Trailing 4-0, Leo Marcil drilled a double to bring home Ryan O’Neill, then came home himself on an error. Later in the inning, Brandon Day would score on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 4-3. DeLand would put runners on first and third before finally succumbing.
DeLand’s top pitcher was Zachary Stewart, who faced the minimum of six hitters in two innings, not allowing a hit or a walk.
Thunder lose in semi-finals
2012 PCHS graduate Nate Gay and the Leesburg Thunder drew a first round bye as they finished the season in first place with 14 wins and seven losses. The Thunder will play Friday morning, July 27th against the Winter Garden Warthogs (four seed, 8-9-2 record) at 11:00 am in Leesburg.
UPDATED 07/27/12: The number one seed Leesburg Thunder lost game one to the number four seed Winter Garden Warthogs Friday morning in Leesburg by a score of 8-5. Nate went one for three at the plate getting one RBI on one hit for a .333 average.
UPDATED 07/29/12: In a win or go home game, the number seeded Leesburg Thunder had to play the six seed Orlando Shockers Saturday morning and the Thunder came out victorious. Nate contributed to the win with two rbi's.
The second game of the day for the Thunder pitted them against the number five seed Sanford Shockers. The Thunder prevailed in this game too and will now have a re-match against the Winter Garden Warthogs on Monday, July 30th at 11 a.m. in Orlando.
UPDATED 07/30/12: The season for Nate and the Leesburg Thunder came to an end today as they were defeated by the Winter Garden Warthogs by a score of 8-1. Defensively, Nate started the game at the catcher's position and moved to center field in the sixth inning. Offensively, he was 0-1 at the plate with two walks, a stolen base and scored the lone run for the Thunder.
Nate Gay & Drew Taylor square off against each other
The same state act in 1906 that created the ABAC Stallions also created the Middle Georgia College Warriors. Middle Georgia combined in January with Macon State, but retains a campus in Cochran. The teams, ancient rivals, met Tuesday at Stallion Field in a battle that saw the Warriors get two unearned runs and topple ABAC, 3-1.
The Stallions got on the board early. Cole Janousek socked a one-out double and it looked like he would stay there when Brad Blount struck out. Adam Boan then came to his rescue with a soft single, sending Janousek racing around third and just under the tag of Cole Thompson for the game's first run.
The Warriors would tie it up minutes later. Thompson would send a ball his way to start the second. Justin Ammons at second base was unable to set his feet and threw the ball into the dugout, which gave Thompson second base. A wild pitch by Riley Sparks allowed him to reach third and with Drew Taylorat the plate, another pitch sailed wide on ball four and the Warriors tied it up. Sparks 
appeared to be in danger of surrendering a bigger inning, but the bases were cleared on a double play and a fly to right ended the inning.
The Warriors would grab the lead for their own in the fourth. Boan ranged to his right to field a grounder off the bat of Trae Wilson. Sparks would juggle the flip and Wilson was ruled safe. Wilson would move into scoring position on a steal and to third on another wild pitch. Sparks coaxed Taylor into grounding to second, but ABAC conceded a run for an out and Middle Georgia took a 2-1 lead.
While Sparks was a victim of his own bad luck on the mound, the Stallions had their own share at the plate, missing two golden opportunities to tie or take the lead.
Thad Glenn led off the bottom of the fourth frame with a single. Christian Miller was the next man up and doubled to right, but Glenn was held at third as it seemed that ABAC had momentum in their favor. Brock Turner then stepped for the Warriors, striking out Justin Hicks. Mason Tyler sent a dribbler to the mound, Turner looking Glenn back to third before tossing to first. Ammons then went down swinging, allowing Middle Georgia to escape.
Two innings later, A.J. Benefield led off with a single. He would move into scoring position on a wild pitch, but Glenn was unable to move him further as he struck out for the first out. Miller set the Stallions up again with a single that put runners at first and third. After a walk to Hicks to load the bases, manager Craig Young decided not to take another risk on Turner coming through unscathed a second time and sent in Justin Flores to relieve him.
Flores induced a grounder back to the mound from Tyler and threw home for the force out. The potential rally then ended when Ammons struck out.
In the meantime, Sparks evaded a jam of his own. Will Jones led off with a single and with one out, advanced to third on a single by Cody Lanford. Sparks' troubles ended with a pop to Boan and a foul fly caught by Benefield.
He would be replaced by Robert Nelson in the sixth. Nelson came in sharp, getting the Warriors 1-2-3 and while he had runners at first and second in the seventh, forced Middle Georgia to post a zero on the scoreboard after a strikeout and grounder to first.
Desperately needing insurance, the Warriors had their chance in the eighth. Andrew Kelley singled to lead off and runners would be at first and second with a ground ball took a bad hop for Ammons. Thompson hit a sharp grounder that made its way to the outfield, putting Middle Georgia up 3-1.
It looked to be a disaster inning for Nelson after he slipped attempting to field a sacrifice bunt, loading the bases with no one out, but rallied with a strikeout and force out at the plate and a long fly to center.
Flores would refuse to let the Stallions even get their foot in the door. He would set down ABAC in order in the eighth. He was replaced by Blake Shouse in the ninth, who struck out Hicks and Nate Gay looking and Ammons swinging to end the game.
The Stallions finished with eight hits, two each from the bats of Janousek, Benefield and Miller. Sparks, who did not give up an earned run in five innings of work, struck out one and gave up four hits.
DOWLING, ELLIOTT & GAY NAMED TO VSU FALL ROSTER
Former PCHS diamond standouts Cole Dowling (2013), Vince Elliott (2013) and Nate Gay (2012) will join Jayk Graham (2011) on the roster for the 2013-2014 Valdosta State University Blazers baseball program.
Cole and Vince are entering their first year of college baseball while Nate is on his second year after playing for the ABAC Stallions last year. Jayk is in his third year of college baseball where he played his freshman year at West Georgia College before transferring to VSU last year as a sophomore.
The VSU fall baseball schedule has not been posted yet but you can check out the player profiles by clicking here: http://www.vstateblazers.com/roster.aspx?path=baseball.
