BARNSTORMERS SMASH RECORD ON OPENING NIGHT
Lancaster Picks Up 23-7 Win over York
On a Friday night with football weather, the Lancaster Barnstormers put up a football score.
Lancaster shattered a franchise record by scoring 23 runs in a 23-7 victory in the home opener at Clipper Magazine Stadium in front of 5.614. The 23 runs broke a franchise record of 19 set in 2007 and replicated in 2008.
The Barnstormers, who had not had a baserunner in the first inning for seven games on the opening road trip, quickly reversed the course on Friday. LeDarious Clark opened the inning with a solid single to left and stole second. Melvin Mercedes launched a triple over the head of left fielder Melky Mesa. Following a walk to Colton Shaver, Kelly Dugan planted a double into the right field corner. Austin Nicely (0-2) got Andretty Cordero on a fly out to center for the first out. A third run scored when Mark Zagunis grounded to third. Anderson Feliz was hit by a pitch, and Trace Loehr beat out a single off Nicely’s glove before Jake Hoover doubled off the right field wall, scoring two more.
Lancaster’s sixth run scored when a Nicely pitch got past catcher Paul Mondesi. At the same time, Clark became the first Barnstormer to take advantage of the Atlantic League’s experimental rule and was awarded a base hit for reaching first safely.
Dugan finished the night with six RBI, three on a homer to right center in the sixth inning. Hoover drove in five on a pair of doubles and a single. Clark was 4-for-4 with two dashes to first on wild pitches and drove in three. Shaver also had a three-RBI game.
Brent Teller (1-1) benefitted from the attack. The right-hander went five innings, allowing five hits and two runs, one earned. He struck out seven in becoming the first Barnstormers starter to earn a win this season.
York scored five runs in the top of the ninth on a two-run single through the left side by Mesa and three bases-loaded walks.
The two clubs meet again on Saturday at 6:30 with Nile Ball (0-0) pitching against Jorge Martinez (0-0). Fireworks will follow the game. Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube channel, beginning at 6:25.
NOTES: Pitcher Oscar De La Cruz and outfielder Connor Lien made their Lancaster debuts in the game…De La Cruz pitched a scoreless sixth inning while Lien, obtained from Southern Maryland earlier in the day, went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles…The 21 hits missed the franchise record of 25, set in 2012…With 32 total bases in the game, the Barnstormers more than doubled the season high…Lancaster went 16-for-27 with runners in scoring position.
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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