AtL Lancaster Stormers

Big Opening Night

Published on April 25, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


An Atlantic League single game record crowd of 8,485 watched the Barnstormers break free for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Lancaster swamped Bridgeport, 10-2, in the season opener for both clubs Friday night.

The crowd eclipsed last year's figure of 8,092 on Opening Night, which was the existing league mark.

With runners at second and third and one out in the eighth, Ian Bladergroen, who had homered earlier in the game, cracked a two-run double past diving right fielder Bobby Darula for a 4-2 lead against reliever Chris Eickhorst (0-1). Vasili Spanos was hit by a pitch, and Jutt Hileman followed with an RBI single to left center. John Nelson's force play grounder brought home the inning's fourth run, and he, in turn, scored as Mike Woods ripped a triple to left center. Woods scored on a passed ball for an 8-2 cushion, and Brian Stavisky later added a monstrous two-run homer to right center to cap the scoring.

Lancaster starter Zack Parker threw six solid innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He fell behind, 2-0, in the second as Bridgeport loaded the bases and scored single runs on force play grounders. The Bluefish did not get another runner beyond first base until the ninth inning.

Bladergroen's line drive home run into the picnic pavilion against former Baltimore Orioles' lefty Eric DuBose pulled Lancaster to within a run in the second. Stavisky evened the score with a two-out RBI single to right in the third, scoring Woods.

Ryan Cullen (1-0) worked two scoreless innings for Lancaster to record the win.

NOTES: Lancaster maintained its perfect record in season openers...Oddly, Lancaster has allowed exactly two runs in each of its Opening night games...Tim Drew, the brother of J.D. and Steven, will pitch for Bridgeport on Saturday against Tim McClaskey...Game time is 7:05 with fireworks to follow.

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Atlantic League Stories from April 25, 2008


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