BARNSTORMERS RALLY, THEN STUMBLE
Southern Maryland Wins in Tenth
The Lancaster Barnstormers were two outs away from being swept by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Thursday afternoon.
Then, the team rallied, took the lead, then watched victory slip out of their grasp, all in short order as the Crabs pulled out a 6-5, 10 inning win in the Thursday matinee at Regency Furniture Stadium.
It was the 11th consecutive win for the boiling Crabs while the ‘Stormers absorbed their ninth straight road loss.
Mat Latos came on for Southern Maryland with a 4-1 lead in the top of the ninth, looking to save his third straight. With one out, Melvin Mercedes walked. Colton Shaver rolled a base hit through the left side. Kelly Dugan followed with a line drive homer to right, the only ball to leave the stadium in the three-game series.
Tyler Suellentrop got the Barnstormers through the bottom of the ninth, and Lancaster took its only lead in the series in the top of the tenth. Anderson Feliz bunted Mark Zagunis, who opened the inning at second base, over to third, and a single to center by Trace Loehr off Pedro Echemendia (2-0) brought the run home. LeDarious Clark added a single, but Mercedes, after lining a foul into the right field corner flied to center to end the inning.
Chase Johnson (0-2) took over in the bottom of the tenth. A passed ball allowed runner Rubi Silva to advance to third, and he scored on a single by Jared Walker. Braxton Lee gave himself up with a bunt to third. Loehr made the play but found no one home at first base. His throw eluded the defense toward the Lancaster bullpen bench as Walker raced around with the winning run.
Brent Teller started for the Barnstormers and allowed four hits over six innings. The Blue Crabs only run off the starter came on consecutive doubles by Austin Rei and Ian Yetsko in the third.
Lancaster tied the game on a bases loaded wild pitch by Patrick Baker in the top of the sixth before Silva cleared the bases with a triple in the bottom of the seventh.
The Barnstormers head to Long Island to open a three-game series on Friday evening against the Ducks. Nile Ball (0-0) is the scheduled starter for Lancaster against right-hander Hunter Caudelle. Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube channel, beginning at 6:30.
NOTES: Dugan has 15 RBI in the last six games…Shaver has reached base in nine straight starts…The Barnstormers left a season-high 13 runners on base…Scott Shuman lost a streak of 15 consecutive appearances of at least two batters with a strikeout, getting a pop up, fly ball and line out in the eighth inning.
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.
###
© 2024, Lancaster Stormers. All Rights Reserved.
