Larkin One-Hits Barnstormers

Long Island Right-hander Fires Gem in 1-0 Victory

Brad Bergesen was very good on Wednesday evening.  Matt Larkins was even better.

The Long Island right-hander fired a one-hit shutout, the first opposing pitcher since Dontrelle Willis in 2013, as the Ducks defeated the Barnstormers, 1-0, in the third game of a four-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

Lancaster’s only hit came leading off the third when Vladimir Frias blooped a single into right center.  Larkins (3-6) walked two, Rico Noel and in the first and Sean Halton in the fourth, and had to survive one error.  The Idaho resident struck out 10 and retired the final 16 batters he faced on the evening.

Three of the four Barnstormers who did reach base were wiped out on double plays.

Larkins got through one final scare.  Caleb Gindl, the final Lancaster batter of the night, laced a low line drive headed for left field, but shortstop Dan Lyons made the diving backhanded catch to preserve the one-hitter.

Bergesen (4-6) allowed one quick first inning run.  Delta Cleary, Jr. lined a one-out single into left.  Lew Ford found the gap in right center for an RBI double.

The Lancaster starter then retired 14 of the next 16 batters, allowing two more singles.  Bergesen, a former Baltimore Orioles starter, threw only six pitches out of the strike zone during the first five innings but ran into control issues in the sixth, hitting two batters and throwing a wild pitch before intentionally walking Ruben Gotay, Jr.  He got Giovanny Alfonzo to fly out to center to escape the bases loaded jam, coming out of the game afterward.

Bergesen struck out four in dealing his fifth quality start of the season.

Lancaster will send left-hander Tommy Shirley (0-1) to the mound on Thursday night.  Shirley will be making his first start since April 23 at Somerset.  He will be opposed by former Major League right-hander Alfredo Simon (0-2).  Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 6:15.

NOTES:  Willis threw a one-hitter for the Ducks on June 14, 2013 at Clipper Magazine Stadium…Larkins’ effort was the first complete game shutout thrown against the Barnstormers this season…He was also the first opposing pitcher to strike out 10 in a game…The Barnstormers only have one hit in the last 12 1/3 innings…The time of 2:11 was the fastest for the Barnstormers in a nine-inning game this season by 17 minutes…There was still a small amount of daylight when the game ended.