AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers add to rotation, bullpen next

Published on April 7, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


LANCASTER, Pa.-The Lancaster Barnstormers continue to build their starting rotation for the 2009 season with the signings of lefty Eric Ackerman and right-hander Jason Scobie, it was announced today.

Ackerman, 29, led the Barnstormers in innings pitched with 131.1 during the 2008 season, going 5-7 with a 5.07 ERA. He won three consecutive starts in late June and back-to-back wins in the final eight days of July.

A former area high school athlete of the year (Cocalico), Ackerman is entering his fourth season with the Barnstormers and is the franchise's all-time leader in innings pitched and strikeouts. He is tied with Ross Peeples for the lead in appearances and needs one more win to reach the career lead held by Denny Harriger.

The southpaw was drafted by the Kansas City Royals out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2002 and spent four seasons in their system before joining the Barnstormers. Notoriously nasty against left-handed batters, Ackerman was used primarily out of the bullpen his first two seasons with Lancaster.

Scobie joined Lancaster on July 8 and went 3-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 15 appearances (11 starts). The Virginia Beach, Va. resident was 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA over his final three starts, notching critical wins over Camden and Somerset as the Barnstormers strove to remain in the pennant chase into the season's final week.

The 15th round draft choice of the New York Mets in 2001 out of Louisiana State University, Scobie reached Class AAA Norfolk in 2003. He finished second in the Class AA Eastern League with a 2.82 ERA for Binghamton in 2004 and led the International League with 15 wins for Norfolk in 2005. Scobie, 30, also pitched 1 ½ seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

"Both these guys showed they can be quality starting pitchers in the Atlantic League," Barnstormers manager Von Hayes said. "We saw glimpses last year of just how good they can be, and with an improved club behind them, we expect to see more of those performances this season."

The signings give Lancaster 19 players under contract for the 2009 season with spring training just days away. More contracts are expected by week's end. The club will assemble on April 13 in Lancaster, where the team will hold spring training for the first time. All workouts and two exhibition games will be free and open to the public.

The Barnstormers will open the 2009 baseball season at home on Thursday, April 23 at 7:05 p.m. when they host the Newark Bears. Tickets to Opening Night and all other games in the 2009 season are on sale at www.LancasterBarnstormers.com. The Clipper Magazine Stadium box office opens for the season on April 6.

Check out the Lancaster Stormers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Atlantic League Stories from April 7, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central