Bees Drop Series Opener to Barnstormers in Extra Innings
May 24, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
New Britain Bees News Release
(New Britain, CT.) Despite a late inning comeback, the New Britain Bees dropped their series opener with the Lancaster Barnstormers at New Britain Stadium 6-4.
PITCHERS OF RECORD
W: Pete Andrelczyk (1-0) | L: Craig Stem (1-4) | SV: Cory Burns (6)
On a night where the two teams combined for 22 hits and ten runs, the announced crowd of 2,315 certainly did not see a pitchers duel. Neither starting pitcher lasted longer than four innings in this one, with Bees' starter Shawn Haviland lasting four innings, and Tanner Peters of the Barnstormers being pulled from the game after just 3.1 innings, making the game a battle of the bullpens.
No matter who entered the game for the Bees, no pitcher had much luck against Lancaster's Kevin Ahrens. The shortstop went 4-5 with an RBI and a run scored, with the run coming in the top of the seventh against Bees' reliever Brandon Fry on one of third baseman Josh Bell's two RBI doubles on the night which gave Lancaster a two-run lead.
Down 3-1 in the seventh, the Bees mounted a rally with help from a former Barnstormer. With Jonathan Roof on second after a walk and stolen base, Michael Crouse- who the Bees acquired last week in a trade with the Barnstormers- launched a long two-run home run just to the left of the centerfield wall, knotting the game at three against right-hander Josh Wall.
The game would head to extras, where Bees' closer Craig Stem gave up three runs in his second inning of work. The right-hander surrendered runs on back-to-back doubles and a wild pitch in the top of the tenth, effectively putting the game out of reach. The Bees did plate a run in the bottom half of the inning, but were unable to do any more damage.
The Bees and Barnstormers continue their series tomorrow night at New Britain Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35PM. New Britain will send left-hander Josh Outman to the mound, while Lancaster will counter with righty Austin Bibens-Dirkx.
Bees Buzz: Jonathan Roof extended his hitting streak to five games with a 1-3 night, and he now has three separate hitting streaks this season of at least five games...James Skelton drew his league leading 25th walk of the season tonight...With two RBIs via his two-run home run tonight, Michael Crouse now has 250 RBIs in his professional career...
Next Broadcast: YouTube (Youtube.com/NewBritainBees)
Bees Tickets: Available at the New Britain Stadium Box Office starting at 9 AM | Call 860-826-BEES
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