AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers Fall To Charlies, Kopach

Published on August 21, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Connor Kopach is relatively new to the Atlantic League, but he has made a huge impression on the fans in Charleston as well as the Lancaster Barnstormers this weekend.

The infielder, recently released by the Seattle Mariners, slugged a two-run double and a grand slam as the Charleston Charlies (West Virginia Power) defeated the Barnstormers, 8-3, in the middle game of the three-game series.

Lancaster was able to maintain a one-game lead in the North as Southern Maryland fell, 6-3, to Long Island.

In the bottom of the second, Nile Ball (2-3) walked the first two batters, bringing up Kopach who ripped a line drive over the head of third baseman Nick Shumpert. The ball got down into the corner. By the time Trayvon Robinson could retrieve it and fire back home, Olmo Rosario and Rymer Liriano had both crossed the plate to tie the game.

Ball got out of the rest of the inning and escaped trouble in the third as well. It appeared he would get out of the fifth inning after Alberto Callaspo was cut down at the plate on a grounder by Edwin Espinal for the second out. Rosario kept the inning alive with a single to right, and Liriano again walked. Kopach took Ball over the boards in right center for the grand slam and a 6-2 lead.

Former Lancaster infielder Jimmy Paredes added a two-run homer to right in the sixth.

Lancaster had taken a 2-0 lead over the first two innings. Caleb Gindl opened the night with a single to right off Arik Sikula (6-7) and scored on a two-out single to right by Kelly Dugan. In the second, Devon Torrence singled to right. He promptly stole second and took third when Rosario, blinded by the sun, missed Yovan Gonzalez' throw. Torrence scored on a balk.

Blake Allemand homered in the eighth for Lancaster's final run.

The Barnstormers send Tommy Shirley (2-2) to the mound on Sunday at 1:05. He will be opposed by right-hander Alexis Candelario (2-2, 2-6). Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, starting at 1:00.

NOTES: Kopach's grand slam was the record ninth hit against the Barnstormers this season (previous mark six) and the 16th overall in a Barnstormers game this season (previous mark 10)...Torrence had three of Lancaster's seven hits, his third three-hit game of the season...He had two steals for 12 on the year...Dugan has 27 RBI in 24 games...He is hitting .431 with runners in scoring position on the season...Allemand has eight homers in his last 17 games.

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Atlantic League Stories from August 21, 2021


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