NICELY DONE

NICELY DONE

Lefty Throws Gem as York Evens Series

York left-hander Austin Nicely, the same hurler that was clobbered by the Lancaster Barnstormers in the April 29^th opener at Clipper Magazine Stadium, completely turned the tables on Wednesday evening, yielding one run over 6 2/3 innings as the Revolution topped the ‘Stormers, 6-1, in the middle game of a three-game series in York.

Nicely (2-5) was not reached for a run until Shawon Dunston, Jr. doubled down the left field line and Melvin Mercedes dropped a single into shallow right with two outs in the seventh.  The lefty departed after 102 pitches, giving way to right-hander Nick Howard who fanned the next four.

York opened the scoring immediately against Brooks Hall (0-1).  Troy Stokes, Jr. lined a single to center on an 0-2 pitch leading off the night.  Elmer Reyes followed with a double inside the third base bag scoring the first run. 

Hall worked out of the rest of the first inning, but the right-hander was nicked again in the second.  J.C. Encarnacion singled into right and stole second.  One out later, catcher Jhon Nunez yanked a single into right field for a 2-0 lead.  Nunez took third on an error by right fielder LeDarious Clark, but the inning ended there as Hall fanned the next two hitters.

The Lancaster starter worked through five innings, allowing little else.  Hall yielded five hits overall while walking one and striking out six.

Lancaster’s bullpen was not as fortunate.  Erik Manoah surrendered four hits and two runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Carlos Franco led off with a long double to left center and took third on a single by Encarnacion.  Jack Kenley grounded into a force play as York’s third run of the night came home.  Nunez singled into right, and Yefri Perez followed with a walk to load the bases.  Stokes dropped a single into short right, plating Kenley, but Nunez was gunned down at home to keep the deficit at 4-0.

Encarnacion keyed a two-run York seventh with a triple over Clark’s head in right.

Oscar De La Cruz (2-0) will make the start for the Barnstormers on Thursday against right-hander Eduardo Rivera (4-1).  Fans may tune into the YouTube channel, beginning at 6:25.

NOTES: Dunston reached base for the 12^th straight game…Dugan has a six-game streak…Lancaster is 3-22 when the opponents score first…The Barnstormers lead the War of the Roses, 9-6…Lancaster pitchers have fanned 123 batters in the last 11 games.

About the Lancaster Barnstormers

The Lancaster Barnstormers are headed into their 18^th 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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