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AtL Lancaster Stormers

Ducks Win, Damage Barnstormer Playoff Hopes

September 5, 2009 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


Long Island scored five runs on Saturday evening on balls that did not get out of the infield as the Ducks took down the Lancaster Barnstormers, 6-3, in front of 6,093 at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

The loss dropped Lancaster 5 ½ behind Long Island for the final playoff berth in the Atlantic League.

Trailing, 2-1, entering the fifth inning, the Ducks tied the game against Ben Fritz (5-7). With two outs, Juan Francia lined a single over the head of shortstop Anderson Machado. Ray Navarrete reached on a wide throw by third baseman Aaron Herr, adding a second baserunner. Fritz appeared to be out of the inning when Freddie Thon hit a bounder toward second baseman Lloyd Turner. However, the ball took a viciously high bounce, hitting Turner around the shoulder. Francia scored the tying run as the ball kicked away.

Fritz loaded the bases in the sixth on two walks and a single by Alex Prieto. Again, the right-hander appeared to pitch his way out of trouble. Francia flied to shallow left for the second out, and Navarrete, the league RBI leader, hit a dribbler back toward the mound. Fritz picked it up, but his throw to first pulled Ryan Mulhern off the bag, giving the Ducks their go-ahead run. Jim Heuser was brought on in relief to face Thon, who again hit a bounder in Turner's direction. The throw to first was late, scoring Prieto. Long Island sent Matt Cavagnaro as well, and he beat Mulhern's throw to the plate for a 5-2 lead.

Long Island's first run of the night had scored on a force play grounder by Cavagnaro. Only Prieto's leadoff homer in the eighth produced a run otherwise.

Jake Dittler (5-7), limited Lancaster to six singles over six innings. The Barnstormers' only two runs off the Ducks starter came in the second. Matt Watson and Mulhern opened the inning with back-to-back singles. Jed Morris popped to second for the first out. Machado moved the runners ahead with a ground ball to first. Michael Woods delivered an RBI single to right. Mulhern scored when the ball was misplayed by Johnny Hernandez.

Jason Cooper singled home a run in the eighth for Lancaster's final tally before Bill Simas, Friday's losing pitcher came on to record his 23rd save.

The rubber game of the series will be held on Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Zack Parker (4-5) will throw for Lancaster against Randy Leek (9-9). The first 1,500 fans entering the gates will be given a complimentary logo baseball. Tickets are available online at www.lancasterbarnstormers.com.

NOTES: Long Island leads the season series, 15-4, the first time that Lancaster has ever lost more than 14 games in a season to one opponent...Watson has hit safely in five straight.

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