BARNSTORMERS BATTER BELEAGUERED BEES BULLPEN

Lancaster Gains Split, 10-5

The Lancaster Barnstormers took full advantage of a New Britain bullpen short on available arms Wednesday evening, knocking out 14 hits in a 10-5 victory over the Bees at New Britain Stadium.

With the win, the ‘Stormers gained a split of the day-night doubleheader. New Britain won earlier in the day, 7-6, on a three-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning.

New Britain got to starter Tanner Peters (5-3) for five runs in the first 1 1/3 innings, banging out four doubles in the process. Michael Crouse, who knocked in the winning run in the opener, keyed a two-run first inning with a double to the warning track in right center. Greg Golson produced the third double of the New Britain second, driving in two runs, for a 5-2 New Britain lead.

Peters settled down, yielding only two more hits in the next 5 2/3 innings enabling his team to come from behind.

Anthony Marzi made his first professional start for the Bees in the nightcap. The lefty allowed a two-run single to Caleb Gindl in the second. K.C. Hobson added a run with a sacrifice fly in the third, and Mike McDade slugged a homer to left center in the fifth as Lancaster narrowed the gap to 5-4. Marzi departed after five, having thrown 107 pitches in the game.

In the sixth, the Barnstormers chipped away at long time Lancaster reliever Scott Patterson (0-1). Yusuke Kajimoto, in his first day with the ballclub in 2016 after a four-month wait for his visa, led off with a ground single into right. One out later, Josh Bell lifted a fly ball to left, which Golson lost in the twilight sky. He still had a chance to force Kajimoto at second but bounced the hurried throw past second baseman Jonathan Roof. Sean Halton singled into right to drive home Kajimoto with the tying run. One out later, McDade lined a single into center scoring Bell and Halton for a 7-5 lead. McDade took second on the throw home but would be thrown out on Hobson’s single to right, Lancaster’s fifth hit of the inning.

The Barnstormers struck for two more in the eighth off Grady Wood, who also threw an inning in the opener. Halton and Mike Jacobs singled, and McDade walked to load the bases. Hobson scored two with a double into the right field corner. Halton picked up his second RBI of the night against Conor LeBlanc, who also pitched in both games, in the top of the ninth.

Lancaster rapped out a total of 14 hits in the game, drew eight walks and had one man hit by a pitch.

Ryan Dennick finished the game for the ‘Stormers, allowing three hits and a walk in two scoreless innings.

The series will conclude on Thursday. Mike Lee (4-3) makes the start for the Barnstormers against former Lancaster right-hander Kyle Simon (4-3). Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 6:15.

NOTES: For the series, Lancaster has scored 28 runs on 39 hits, 25 walks and four hit batters…They have left 38 runners on base…In one stretch of the doubleheader, Lancaster left multiple runners on base in eight consecutive innings…Peters took the team lead in wins with his fifth…Halton and Hobson had three hits apiece…Josh Bell is 17-for43 (.395) in his last 12 games…With a win on Thursday, the Barnstormers will take their first series since winning two of three at York, June 3-5.