ONE OUT FROM SWEEP, STORMERS FALL

Long Island Rallies in Ninth for 4-1 Win

Jack Labosky and the Lancaster Stormers were one out from a sweep of a day-night doubleheader at Fairfield Properties Ballpark on Saturday.

Then, disaster happened.

Aaron Antonini tied the game with a two-out RBI single, and, after Labosky was lifted for reliever Justin Kelly, Ivan Castillo cranked a three-run homer to left center as the Long Island Ducks pulled off the 4-1 victory in the nine-inning nightcap.

Earlier, Lancaster won the opener, a seven-inning contest, 7-2, behind five shutout innings from Max Green and a six-run third inning (see separate story below).

Labosky (1-1) walked none and struck out eight over his 8 2/3 innings of work.  He stared down a huge threat in the seventh.  Chance Sisco led off that inning with a single on which second baseman Nick Lucky slipped and fell.  Hector Gomez followed with a double, sending Sisco to third.  However, Gomez was doubled off second on Antonini’s smash to first baseman Chad Sedio, and Castillo struck out.

Tyler Dearden struck out to start the ninth, but Ryan McBroom ripped a single past shortstop Kyle Kasser to put the tying run on at first.  Sisco dropped a fly ball into left center to send McBroom to third.  Gomez fanned for the second out before Antonini’s game-tying hit.

Lancaster struck for its lone run in the top of the second.  With one out, Justin Farmer singled into center field off starter Mike Montgomery.  After Sedio struck out, Farmer swiped second.  Gaige Howard brought in the run with a single to right.

Montgomery and a pair of relievers combined to retire the final 16 Lancaster batters in the game.  Sam Delaplane (3-1) worked the ninth for the win.

Nile Ball (3-1) will take the mound for the Stormers on Sunday afternoon against right-hander Stephen Woods, Jr. (1-2).  Fans may tune in on FloBaseball, beginning at 1:30.

NOTES:  Labosky’s ERA had dropped to 1.65 before the last two pitches of the game…He was the first starter to work into the ninth inning for Lancaster this season…He has walked only two batters in 32.2 innings.