BARNSTORMERS DROP PAIR AT SUGAR LAND

Skeeters Sweep Doubleheader, Series

The Lancaster Barnstormers went into Sugar Land with high hopes, coming off a huge weekend at Long Island.

Those hopes were dashed.

Sugar Land scored the winning run in the bottom of the eighth in the nightcap on a dropped pop up, a sacrifice and a grounder to first to take a 3-2 decision, completing a sweep of a doubleheader and a four-game series from the Barnstormers.

In the opener, Travis Scott and Ricky Hague supported Aaron Thompson with solo home runs in a 3-1 Skeeters victory.

Jeremy Barfield lofted a pop fly down the right field line to start the bottom of the eighth. Yusuke Kajimoto appeared to be in position for the catch but lunged at the last second, dropping the ball. Barfield, who was awarded a double on the play, moved to third on a bunt by Wilfredo Rodriguez. The Barnstormers opted to walk Lance Zawadzki intentionally. Gary Gaetti went to his bench for Travis Scott. Evan Meek (1-2, 2-2) pitched to the left-handed batter, and he hit a roller to the backhand of first baseman Sean Halton. Halton bobbled for a second, then threw home with Mike McDade dropping the throw. Barfield lunged back to the plate for the winning run.

The Barnstormers had tied the game off closer Derrick Loop in the top of the seventh. Kevin Ahrens reached on an infield single after Zawadzki made a great stop up the middle but was slightly wide after spinning to make the throw to first. Caleb Gindl walked on a 3-2 pitch, and both runners advanced on a passed ball by Rodriguez. Blake Gailen scored one run on a sac fly to center, and K.C. Hobson knotted the game with a single to right.

Two-out RBI singles by Beamer Weems in the second and Rodriguez in the third had staked Sugar Land to the lead.

In the opener, Scott homered in the third and Hague in the sixth off Joey Maher (0-1). The other Sugar Land run scored on a sacrifice fly by Hague in the fourth inning.

Lancaster got a run on a double by Sean Halton off Thompson (8-3) in the fourth and had the tying runs on base in the seventh before Dan Runzler struck out consecutive batters for his second save.

The Barnstormers open a three-game series against York on Friday night. Lancaster will send Bryan Evans (4-8) to the hill against right-hander Tony Pena. Jose Canseco will participate in a softball Home Run Derby at 6:20 and fireworks will follow the game.

Fans may tune into Blue Ridge Cable 11 or the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 6:45.

NOTES: Gindl has hit safely in 14 straight and Hobson 12…Halton lost a 12-game streak in the second game…Sugar Land leads the season series, 10-7.