AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers pile up singles, win 10-5

August 13, 2006 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


It was singles day at the ballpark. Long ones, short ones, bunts, bloops and liners. The Lancaster Barnstormers collected 18 hits on the afternoon, 17 of them good for only one base, in a 10-5 win over the Somerset Patriots in the rubber game of a three-game weekend series in front of 4,942 Sunday afternoon at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

With the win, the Barnstormers capped a 5-1 homestand and improve to 17-10 on the second half and now lead by four, pending the outcome of Atlantic City?s game against the Road Warriors on Sunday evening. Somerset falls to 12-17, six games behind Lancaster.

Chris Van Rossum and Manny Santana each picked up four hits on the afternoon, including some of the biggest of the day. Van Rossum singled home a run in the bottom of the first inning and also put the 10th run on the board in the eighth with his third single to center in the game. Santana put the Barnstormers ahead to stay with a two-out RBI single to center in the fifth for a 6-5 advantage. The Lancaster catcher also provided the insurance with Lancaster?s only extra-base hit, a two-run double to right center in the bottom of the seventh inning that gave the Barnstormers a three-run cushion.

The duo also combined for the biggest defensive play of the afternoon. With the game tied, 1-1, in the top of the second, Somerset loaded the bases off Brian Whitaker (8-5) with two outs on singles by Jim Burt and George Sandel and a walk to Patrick Boran. Kevin Nicholson then grounded a single to left, scoring Burt. Sandel was also sent, but Van Rossum put his full weight behind a throw to the plate falling forward in the process. Santana took the throw and swung a tag around on Sandel to record the final out of the inning.

Lancaster struck back with four in the bottom of the second on five singles, including RBI hits by Kris Dufner, Danny Gonzalez and Jeremy Todd off Ben Crockett (7-7). Jose Ortiz added a sacrifice fly.

Somerset tied the game in the top of the fifth. Larry Barnes crushed a one-out solo homer to right, his sixth long ball in nine games at Clipper Magazine Stadium. Jeff Nettles followed with a single and later stole second as Ryan Radmanovich struck out. Pinch hitter Henri Stanley connected for a two-run homer, evening the score at 5-5.

The seventh inning provided enough drama for the whole day. With Lancaster leading, 6-5, Ryan Radmovich strode to the plate with one out and Barnes on first. He drove a 1-1 pitch from Ross Peeples high and deep down the right field line. The entire ballpark waited for the call, and first base umpire Dan Wilson signaled foul. Radmanovich argued and had to be guided out of the way by Somerset skipper Sparky Lyle. The Patriots right fielder eventually struck out and was ejected after his return to the dugout.

In the bottom of the inning, Van Rossum led off with a bunt single. Jutt Hileman popped up his bunt which dropped untouched on the right side of the diamond, putting runners at first and second. Eric Crozier bunted into a force play, but Santana followed with his two-run double to right center, taking third on the throw to the plate. Lancaster called for a suicide squeeze, and Dufner managed to bunt an inside fastball from Mike Johnson down the first base line to score the run, making it 9-5.

Johnson clocked Reggie Taylor in the leg with a fastball on his next pitch, raising suspicions. Andy Zwirchitz then hit Burt in the back in the top of the eighth, and warnings were issued. That settled things down for the afternoon as Zwirchitz worked a scoreless eighth, and Charlie Weatherby retired the side in order in the ninth.

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Atlantic League Stories from August 13, 2006


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