AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers Drop Finale

Published on May 30, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


The Lancaster Barnstormers' bid to sweep their season-opening series fell two outs short early Sunday evening as the Gastonia Honey Hunters struck for a tying run in the bottom of the ninth and went on to win in 10 innings, 6-5, early Sunday evening at CaroMont Health Park.

With the loss, the first place Barnstormers dropped to 3-1 on the season.

Lancaster grabbed a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth. Melvin Mercedes, who hit in all four games of the series, legged out a double on a liner to left center. Anthony Peroni laid down a bunt. Robby Scott fielded the sacrifice, but Adrian Gomez, covering first, appeared to lose the ball in the sun. The ball ended up in foul territory down the right field line, and Mercedes scored the lead run.

Donald Goodson was unable to hold the lead. After retiring the leadoff batter in the bottom of the ninth, the right-hander yielded a line drive single to right by Andres Gomez. Ermindo Escobar was hit by a 3-2 pitch to add a second runner. Josh Skole lined a base hit to right, and Gomez was able to score the tying run when the ball was momentarily bobbled by Caleb Gindl. Escobar was gunned down at third on the play, and Goodson was able to send the game into extra innings.

The Barnstormers could not score Blake Allemand, who opened the 10th at second base, drawing just a couple of walks.

Gastonia wasted no time to win, as Mike Papi roped the first pitch in its half of the inning into right. William Salas took a wide turn but still was able to beat Gindl's throw home for the winning run.

The Barnstormers fell behind, 2-0, as the Honey Hunters struck for two runs on four singles off Brooks Hall in the bottom of the fourth. Lancaster was able to respond quickly on a leadoff home run, the second of the year, for LeDarious Clark, in the fifth. Two more crossed for the 'Stormers in the sixth inning. Devon Torrence led off with the second of his three hits, and single to right center. Allemand singled him to third, and Torrence scored on a wild pitch. After Gindl's ground out moved Allemand to third, he scored on a double down the left field line by Trayvon Robinson for a 3-2 lead.

An RBI single by Torrence in the top of the seventh extended the lead to two, but Skole tied the score with a two-run single in the bottom of the frame.

Lancaster heads to High Point for a three-game series against the Rockers that starts on Tuesday. Game time from Truist Point will be 7:05, with the Barnstormers YouTube broadcast starting at 7:00.

NOTES: Mercedes has hit safely in all four games and is 7-for-15 on the season...Clark tied three others for the league lead in homers...Hall made the drive up from his home in Anderson, SC on Friday to make the start and could join the club on a full-time basis when it returns home on Friday...Goodson was attempting his first career save after Scott Shuman and Junior Rincon had both worked the previous two nights...Torrence is 5-for-7 on the season.

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Atlantic League Stories from May 30, 2021


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