Barnstormers Slap Skeeters

Garner Raps Out Five Hits in 10-3 Win

Cole Garner had a special night.

The Barnstormers’ right fielder went 5-for-5 with a double and a home run, leading Lancaster to a 10-3 victory over the Sugar Land Skeeters in the second game of a four-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Lancaster took control of the game with a five-run second inning off Brett Marshall (6-7).  Lastings Milledge led off with a walk and advanced to second on a solid single to right by Tyler Clark.  Josh Bell, making his first start of the season at second base, drilled a single into right center for the game’s first run.  One out later, with runners at first and third, Trayvon Robinson hit a slow bouncer toward third baseman Albert Cordero.  Cordero fired home, but Robinson avoided Wilfredo Rodriguez’ second run.  Garner yanked a double over Cordero’s head to drive home a third run.  Marshall retired Sean Halton on a fly ball to right, but Steve Clevenger cleaned up the inning with a double grounded inside the third base bag, scoring two.

The Barnstormers then busted out the home run bats.  Garner connected in the fourth inning with a blast well back onto the left field hill.  Tyler Clark followed the third walk to Milledge with his first home run of the season, a shot off the back signs in right center.  Sean Halton added a two-run homer to left in the sixth inning.

Tommy Shirley (1-3) shut out the Skeeters on two hits over the first six innings, at one point, retiring 11 straight Sugar Land batters.  He retired Rodriguez for the first out in the seventh but never was able to get another out.  Cordero nailed a double to right center, and Hector Olivera reached on a dribbler up the first base line.  Derek Miller walked to load the bases.  Josh Prince singled to left to knock home one run, ending Shirley’s night.   The Skeeters added two more on Cole Gillespie’s single to left off R.J. Hively.

Lancaster sends lefty Jarret Leverett (7-5) to the hill on Saturday evening against right-hander Bobby Blevins (4-6).  Fireworks will follow the game.  Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 6:15.

NOTES:  Garner became the second Barnstormer with a five-hit game this season, joining Garrett Weber, who turned the trick against New Britain on June 27…Halton has hit safely in 11 straight games (14-44) and has driven in a run in seven straight, two shy of the club record…He has 16 RBI over the last nine games…Shirley threw his second straight quality start…40-year old infielder Bryan Hoover made his Barnstormers debut…He handled three chances defensively and grounded out in his one plate appearance.