‘STORMERS SURGE PAST PATRIOTS

Lancaster Rallies for 11-8 Win

Prior to Saturday night’s game between the Lancaster Barnstormers and the Somerset Patriots, Somerset’s Jon Hunton was celebrated as the Atlantic League’s all-time career saves leader.

The ‘Stormers made sure he did not add to the total.

Lancaster erupted for four runs in the top of the ninth to surge past the Patriots, 11-8, in the middle game of a three-game series at TD Bank Ballpark.

The four runs capped an overall nine-run rally that brought Lancaster back from an 8-2 deficit at the end of four.

Josh Whitaker led off the ninth with a single up the middle on an 0-2 pitch from Hunton (0-1).  Josh Bell followed with a long double into the right center gap to tie the game.  For the next two batters, it appeared that Hunton would keep the game tied.  Somerset opted to walk Charlie Cutler intentionally to put runners at the corners with two outs.  Travis Witherspoon stroked a grounder to short, but Mycal Jones bobbled the play for an error, allowing the Barnstormers to take a 9-8 lead.  Logan Schafer roped a triple into the right center field alley to complete the scoring.

Somerset scored two runs in each of the first four innings off starter J.D. Martin seemingly taking control of the game.  Matt Fields drove a two-run double to left center in the first.  Brad Snyder added a two-run homer in the third.

Josh Bell started the Lancaster rally with a two-run homer in the fifth.  Caleb Gindl singled home a run in the seventh, and two more scored in the eighth, one on a double by Jeff Kobernus.

Meanwhile, Lancaster’s bullpen kept the Patriots hitless for 5 2/3 innings, facing only 16 batters in the process.  Matt Reynolds (1-0) worked the eighth for the win.  Cory Burns struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth for his third save.

The series concludes at 1:05 on Sunday afternoon with right-hander Terry Doyle (0-1) matching up against Somerset lefty Jeremy Horst (2-0).  Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 12:45.

NOTES:  The Barnstormers tied their season high in both runs and hits (17)…Lancaster has scored 33 runs in Martin’s four starts…Gindl has hit safely in nine straight while Kevin Ahrens has hits in seven in a row…Every Barnstormer had at least one hit…The Barnstormers have turned 11 ground ball double plays in the last five games…Prior to the bullpen taking over, Somerset had 71 of its last 128 batters in the season series reach base…The game was Lancaster’s first win of the season when the club has trailed heading into the last two innings.