Trayvon Robinhood

‘Stormers Left Fielder Delivers Winning Blow

 Barnstormers’ left fielder Trayvon Robinson played the hero’s role for a second straight game with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth to give Lancaster a 4-2 decision over Southern Maryland Friday Night at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Tied, 2-2, entering the bottom of the eighth, Craig Stem (0-2) retired the first two batters.  Joey Terdoslavich kept the inning alive with a base hit to right field. Ryan Casteel was hit with a pitch immediately after, putting two runners on for Robinson. The 31 year-old Los Angeles native came through with a double to the gap in left center, scoring both Casteel and Terdoslavich to gain a two-run lead.

Both the Blue Crabs’ Paul Clemens and Lancaster’s Joe Gardner pitched effectively through six innings, each allowing just a pair of runs on five hits and two walks. Their line totals were completely equal, minus the strikeout counts (Clemens with six; Gardner with four).

The Stormers’ struck in the opening frame with a leadoff walk credited to Darian Sandford. From there he would steal second and third, followed by an eventual Blake Gailen sacrifice fly to shallow left, getting Sandford the final 90 feet.

Southern Maryland knotted the score in the third on a leadoff walk to Cory Vaughn, single to center by Austin Green and a ground out by Johnny Bladel.  Frank Martinez took advantage of another leadoff walk to Teodoro Martinez the next inning, singling him home with one man down for a 2-1 lead.

Rico Noel would tack on the tying run, but not until the fifth inning, when he was hit by a one-out pitch to start, then stole second.  He was brought home on a Sandford single to center that barely eluded a diving try from shortstop Edwin Garcia.

Matt Reynolds earned his eighth save in as many tries, but pitched into trouble throughout the final inning. After recording the first out, Frank Martinez smacked a stand-up double down the third base line to put a runner in scoring position. With two outs, Vaughn walked, setting up the biggest at bat of the night, with Dave Sappelt at the plate. With the tying runs at the corners, Sappelt launched a ball high and deep to left field, which faded foul by a matter of a few feet.   Sappelt would eventually fly out to Blake Gailen in right, securing the win for Lancaster.

Up next it’s a Saturday twin bill between the Stormers’ and Crabs. Jonathan Albaladejo (3-2) will start the first game at 5pm, followed by John Anderson (0-0) taking the night cap. Southern Maryland counters with Casey Delgado (2-2) and David Wayne Russo (1-0).  A fireworks display will take place right after game two has concluded. Fans can purchase tickets at the Two Dudes Box Office or by clicking here! Those not attending the game may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel beginning at 4:45.

NOTES:  The Barnstormers improved to 12-4 at home on the season…The bullpen ERA dropped to 2.00…Lancaster is unbeaten when leading anytime after the seventh inning…Sandford and Noel combined to steal five more bases…The duo has 35 on the year (Sandford 20, Noel 15), ahead of all other Atlantic League clubs except for Somerset…Gardner threw his club-leading third quality start…The game was played in a season-fastest 2:26 and ended just before a torrential downpour hit the stadium.