STORMERS UNLOAD

Sunday afternoon’s Lancaster offense was truly a team effort.

All nine starters had at least one hit and scored at least one run as the Stormers drubbed the host Long Island Ducks, 13-4, at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip.

It was the first win of the season for the Stormers, who return home to face Hagerstown on Tuesday evening for the home opener.

The Lancaster barrage began immediately as Donegal’s Kyle Hess opened the game with a single to right off Charlie Neuweiler.  Isan Diaz doubled off the glove of first baseman Chance Sisco, moving Hess to third.  A wild pitch allowed the first run to score.  One out later, Niko Hulsizer plunked a single into right for a 2-0 lead.  Chris Proctor capped the scoring with a double down the left field line as the Stormers grabbed a 3-0 edge.

Hess, making his first start, cranked a two-run homer to right in the second inning.  In the third, Lancaster built its advantage to 8-0 as Cocalico’s Nick Lucky singled home one tally, Trace Loehr contributed a sac fly, and Hess got the third run of the inning home on a grounder.

The offense was largely quieted until the ninth when Proctor led off with an opposite field homer, and Cristian Santana mashed a three-run shot to dead center.

Nile Ball benefited from the 17-hit attack.  The veteran right-hander allowed four hits and two runs, coming on a Tyler Dearden homer, in five innings in his first start of the season.  Ball walked three and struck out five.

Carter Raffield yielded two hits and a run in his long-awaited professional debut.  Ted Stuka and Max Green pitched a scoreless inning apiece, and James Hoyt yielded a tally in the ninth on a wild pitch.

Lancaster will play the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars Tuesday at 6:45 in the home opener.  Fans may tune into FloBaseball at a special 6:15 starting time as members of the 2023 championship squad receive their rings, for several their second straight.

NOTES:  Ball won his 22^nd game as a Stormer, moving him to within one of fifth place all-time…His five strikeouts moved him to within three of Johnny Anderson for third on the career list…Hess reached base on five of six plate appearances…Lucky was 2-for-4 and is 5-for-9 on the season…Diaz, Santana and Hulsizer have each batted safely in all four games played…Gaige Howard has drawn eight walks in four games.