AtL Lancaster Stormers

Barnstormers Survive Late Duck Surge

Published on August 8, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


The Lancaster Barnstormers seem to thrive on late inning drama.

Long Island put together a six-run rally in the bottom of the eighth, but the inning died with the tying run at second, and the Barnstormers held on for a 10-9 win in the series finale at Bethpage Ballpark.

Lancaster managed to hold a one-half game lead over York with the win.

Tim McNab had pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Yunior Novoa, holding the 10-3 lead. However, the Ducks reached him for three straight singles to open the eighth as one run scored. Matt Padgett chopped a grounder up the first base line. McNab raced over to field the ball and apply the tag but repeatedly juggled the ball for an error, loading the bases.

Evan Englebrook was summoned to face Erick Monzon and quickly got ahead at 0-2. Before the at bat was over, runs had scored on a wild pitch and a passed ball to cut the Lancaster lead to 10-6. Monzon walked to bring the tying run into the on deck circle. Dan Lyons produced another run with a sacrifice fly to right. Kraig Binick was hit by a pitch for the second straight at bat. Ray Navarrete doubled down the left field line against Jon Huber, putting the tying run into scoring position. Javier Colina's sacrifice fly to center reduced the lead to 10-9. The Barnstormers walked Kennard Jones intentionally, bringing up Matt Esquivel. Huber struck out the Long Island right fielder for the final out to hold the lead.

Jonah Bayliss held the fort with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 13th save in 13 tries.

The Barnstormers took the lead in the fifth. Gilberto Mejia tripled down the right field line and, following a walk to Wayne Lydon, scored the tying run on a single to left by Tommy Everidge. Matt Watson drew a walk to load the bases. Lydon scored on a passed ball for a 4-3 edge. Aaron Herr bounced back to the mound for the first out. The Ducks intentionally walked Brandon Jones to refill the bases. Travis Metcalf took advantage of the opportunity, ripping a two-run double inside the third base bag, to chase Joselo Diaz (5-6).

Lancaster got rolling again in the sixth. With one out, Lydon reached on an error by Padgett at first. Everidge singled to left, and Watson singled over Esquivel's head in right to drive home the Barnstormers' seventh run. Herr doubled into the left field corner, knocking Bob Zimmerman out of the game. Brandon Jones took lefty Dave Williams' first pitch into the right center alley for a two-run double and a 10-3 lead.

Novoa worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs. He walked one and matched his season high with eight strikeouts.

Somerset comes to Clipper Magazine Stadium on Tuesday evening. Left-hander Luke Sommer (1-2) will make his first start for the Patriots. Lancaster counters with right-hander J.D. Durbin (6-2) in the 7:00 game. It will be aired on Fox Sports Radio, 1490, WLPA and streamed live on sportsjuice.com and ibnsports.com.

NOTES: Mejia had four hits, extending his hitting streak to 10 games (21-44, .477)...He had two singles, a double and a triple in both the first and last games of the six-game road trip...Everidge has hit safely in 12 straight (19-46, .413)...He has scored in nine straight games...Jones has hit safely in 12 of 13 (21-53, .396)...Matt Watson hit his eight homer after the All-Star break...Lancaster took five of nine at Bethpage Ballpark in 2011, winning two of the three series...No other visiting team had won a series on Long Island since the Barnstormers took two of three, May 22-24.

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Atlantic League Stories from August 8, 2011


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