Barnstormers Stung by Patriots.

Quick Start Leads Somerset to 9-3 Win

The Lancaster Barnstormers have shown they can come back from early deficits, especially at home.

The challenge on Thursday evening was simply too big.

Somerset struck for nine runs on 11 hits over the first three innings, and the Patriots cruised to a 9-3 victory over the Barnstormers in the opener of a four-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Tommy Shirley (1-4) opened the night with a walk of Alfredo Rodriguez.  Justin Trapp followed with a push bunt up the first base line, avoiding Sean Halton’s tag for a single.  Justin Pacchioli also laid a bunt down which was fumbled by Tyler Clark for an error to load the bases.  Kyle Roller singled into right to drive in the first run, and Christian Marrero made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly to left.

Before the inning was over, nine Patriots stepped to home plate, and four crossed it.

They went back at it in the second, as Rodriguez and Trapp banged consecutive pitches for doubles.  Trapp moved to third on a ground ball, and Roller made it a 6-0 contest with a sacrifice fly to left.  Marrero singled, and Marc Minicozzi slugged the game’s only homer, a two-run shot to right center, for an 8-0 Patriots lead.

Trapp singled home an unearned run in the third before the Lancaster bullpen shut down the Patriots for the final six frames, including two thrown by hitting coach Josh Bell, who started the night at third base.

Efrain Nieves (2-3) yielded only three hits over six innings.  Lancaster nicked him for a run in the third on a double to center by Clark, a ground out, and Beau Amaral’s squib hit up the first base line.  The left-hander walked two and struck out four.

Lancaster scored two final runs in the eighth on four straight singles by Amaral, Trayvon Robinson, Sean Halton and Bell.  Lastings Milledge got an RBI on a force play grounder.

Jarret Leverett (7-5) will take the mound for the Barnstormers on Friday evening against right-hander Will Oliver (4-3).  Cylo piggy banks will be given away courtesy of Wise Snack Foods, and there will be a concert by Jimmy the Whale following the game.

NOTES:  Amaral was 3-for-5 and now has 20 hits in 44 at bats (.455) over his last 11 games…He has three triples in four games…Milledge has hit safely in five straight…Bell singled home a run as a pitcher…Daniel Moskos has allowed only one run in his last 12 1/3 innings.