SOMERSET SURGES PAST BARNSTORMERS

Patriots Strike Late for 12-7 Win

The Somerset Patriots struck for eight runs off Lancaster’s bullpen in the final three innings for a 12-7 victory over the ‘Stormers Saturday evening at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

It was the Barnstormers’ fourth loss in five games and dropped them to 6-10 in the second half, 3 ½ games behind the Sugar Land Skeeters.

The game was tied, 4-4, through six innings when Bryan LaHair stroked a two-out opposite field RBI single in the top of the seventh to push Somerset ahead, 5-4.

Lancaster was able to counter with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Blake Gailen led off with a single to center, and Caleb Gindl bounced another up the middle, sending Gailen to third. Josh Bell worked the count to 3-2 against Brandon Sisk (3-3) before grounding a single into right field with Gindl on the move to tie the game and get the lead run to third.

Mike Jacobs grounded into a double play to push the go-ahead run across.

Ryan Dennick (3-4) picked up the first out in the eighth inning on a grounder to K.C. Hobson, but Luis Mateo smashed a triple off the fence in right center, and Vinny Zarrillo tied the game with a base hit to left center. R.J. Hively took over and allowed a bouncing single through the right side to Aharon Eggleston, adding a second runner. Both scored when Eric Farris doubled inside the third base bag. Farris crossed the plate on LaHair’s second RBI single in two innings.

Three unearned runs scored in the ninth off Cory Burns as the Barnstormers closer committed errors, one throwing, one fielding, on the first three batters, more than Gindl’s homer leading off the ninth could overcome.

The series concludes on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 with Terry Doyle (4-4) working against left-hander Rudy Owens (1-2). Fans may tune into BRC-11 or the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, starting with the first pitch.

NOTES: Jeff Kobernus reached on an infield single in the third inning to extend a hitting streak to eight games…He stole second that inning for his seventh swipe in seven games…Outfielder Trayvon Robinson was 1-for-5 in his debut for the Barnstormers…Every member of each starting lineup picked up at least one base hit except for Lancaster shortstop Dean Wilson…Mike McDade singled batting for Wilson in the eighth…The two teams combined for 32 hits…Hobson is batting .370 (20-54) with 15 RBI in his last 15 games.