stormers News

BARNSTORMERS FALL AFTER FAST START

BARNSTORMERS FALL AFTER FAST START

Staten Island Takes Series Opener, 4-3

After two batters on Tuesday evening, you would have thought the Lancaster Barnstormers were on their way to a rout on Staten Island.

The bats went quiet, then back-to-back errors in the bottom of the seventh proved costly as the host Ferryhawks rallied for a 4-3 victory over the ‘Stormers in the first ever meeting between the two clubs.

BJ Boyd opened the game with a home run, and LeDarious Clark followed with a double to left center off emergency starter Nick Carrell, re-signed by the Ferryhawks earlier in the day.  Clark eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Colton Shaver as Lancaster grabbed a 2-0 lead.

Newcomer Ed Reichenbach slammed a solo homer with two outs in the fourth to grab a 3-0 edge behind Cameron Gann.

A leadoff homer in the bottom of the fourth by Angel Aguilar cut the ‘Stormers lead back to two.  Gann picked up two quick outs before Ricardo Cespedes singled into right and stole second.  Jon Nester walked, and Javier Betancourt doubled inside the first base bag, scoring one more before Gann picked up his third strikeout on the inning to close it out.

Gann worked through the sixth, maintaining the 3-2 edge, but the seventh inning proved disastrous for the Barnstormers.

Erik Cha (0-1) walked Betancourt on five pitches.  Alfredo Reyes dropped a bunt down which Cha fielded then made a high throw to first, pulling Andretty Cordero off the bag.  Leadoff batter Joseph Monge also bunted, and Cordero failed to pick up a low throw.  A walk to Ben Ruta tied the game at 3-3.  Lancaster switched to right-hander Cole Aker, who allowed the go-ahead sacrifice fly by Aguilar before getting out of the inning.

Alex Katz (1-1) retired six straight Lancaster hitters, three on strikes, to earn the win.  Chris Nunn struck out the side on 11 pitches in the top of the ninth for his second save.

Dominic DiSabatino (2-2) will make the start for the Barnstormers on Wednesday and will be opposed by lefty Anthony Auletta.  Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube channel, starting at 6:25.

NOTES:  Boyd has now hit safely in 11 of 12…Clark has hit safely in 20 of 23…Lancaster is 0-7 in one-run games on the road…Gann struck out seven to take the league lead with 45…He tossed his third quality start.

About the Lancaster Barnstormers

The Lancaster Barnstormers are headed into their 18th year in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.  Home games are played at Ballpark Digest’s two-time Best Ballpark in MLB Partner League Baseball – Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Please call 717.509.HITS (4487) or visit www.lancasterbarnstormers.com for more information. 

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

With teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 44 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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