Barnstormers Flood Bases with Runners, Win, 7-4.

Club Takes Opener of Six-Game Set

The Lancaster Barnstormers had 14 runners reach base over the final three innings to rally from a 4-1 deficit and take a 7-4 decision from the Sugar Land Skeeters in the opener of a six-game series at Constellation Field.

Trailing, 4-1, entering the seventh, the Barnstormers picked up a leadoff double by Trayvon Robinson against Andrew Johnson, the second of his four hits in the game.  Garrett Weber followed with a base hit to center, second Robinson to third.  Anderson De La Rosa bounced to third with Kevin Ahrens gunning down Robinson at the plate, but Vladimir Frias singled into right to cut the Skeeters lead to 4-2.  Rico Noel was hit by Julio De Paula to load the bases, and Lastings Milledge evened the game at 4-4 with a two-run single into right.

The Barnstormers could do no more in the seventh after loading the bases again and left the bases loaded in the eighth inning as well.

They broke through in the ninth.  Singles by Josh Bell and Robinson around a walk to Sean Halton loaded the bases once more off Manny Corpas (0-3, 1-3).  Weber worked the count to 3-1, at which time Sugar Land pitching coach Rafael Montalvo paid a visit to the mound then began to have words with the umpiring crew leading to his ejection.  Weber walked to force home the go-ahead run.  De La Rosa followed with a lined single off the glove of shortstop Anthony Giansanti for a 6-4 lead, and the final run scored on a throwing error by catcher Albert Cordero.

Josh Prince spearheaded the 4-1 Skeeters lead.  The Sugar Land second baseman slugged a two-run homer in the third.  He also doubled in the fifth and scored on a double by Kevin Ahrens.  Giansanti followed with an RBI single into right.

Scott Shuman (3-0) picked up the win for the Barnstormers with a perfect eighth.  Anthony Carter allowed a single in the ninth but got a double play afterward for his 17^th save.

The series continues at 6:05 CDT on Saturday evening.  Lancaster will send LHP Rommie Lewis (5-5) to the hill against right-hander Bobby Blevins (4-4).  Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, starting at 6:45 EDT.

NOTES:  Robinson is 10-for-13 in his last three games…Milledge picked up his first three-RBI game of the season…Carter nailed down the save for his 16^th consecutive opportunity…Bell made his first start as the DH and went 1-for-4 with a walk out of the number spot in the batting order…He left for pinch runner Nate Coronado in the ninth…Cole Garner was 0-for-5 in his season debut.