The Leesburg Lightning are ready to kick off their 2025 home schedule this Friday, May 30 at 7 p.m. when they host the Sanford River Rats at historic Pat Thomas Stadium. Fans are encouraged to come out and support their hometown team as they begin another exciting season of summer baseball in Leesburg.

The game marks the home opener for the Lightning, who are coming off back-to-back league titles and a 2024 season that saw them go 24-12 in the regular season and 4-1 in the playoffs, including a sweep of the Deland Suns in the championship series.

Friday night’s matchup is part of a three-game stretch against the River Rats, with the teams meeting again on Saturday, May 31 at 7 p.m. in Leesburg, following Thursday night’s season opener in Sanford.

This season, the Lightning return 10 players from previous rosters, including eight from last year’s championship team. Standout pitchers Dustin Dunlap, Riley Fitzgerald, and Tanner Walker all return for their third season with the team.

The 2025 roster includes players from eight Division-I programs, including representatives from the SEC and ACC, and features a strong Florida presence, with 18 players attending in-state schools this coming collegiate season.

Head Coach Rich Billings returns for his 11th season at the helm, joined once again by Assistant Coach Rich Billings Sr. and new addition Tanner Clark, a former Lightning catcher and current head coach at Umatilla High School.

The Lightning will face the River Rats three times to open the season, followed by a home matchup against the Winter Garden Squeeze on Monday, June 2 at 7 p.m.

Leesburg is looking to continue its dominance in the Florida Collegiate Summer League, having won three championships in the last four years and boasting 233 wins under Coach Billings — the most in league history.

For the full schedule and more information, visit www.leesburglightning.com.