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AtL Lancaster Stormers

Herr's Blast Keeps Lancaster Going

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


The Lancaster Barnstormers were one out from virtual extinction on Friday evening.

Aaron Herr changed their fate.

The Lancaster third baseman slugged a three-run homer to right field with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Barnstormers a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Long Island Ducks in front of 5,171 at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Lancaster's eighth win in nine games moved the Barnstormers to within 4 ½ games of the Ducks for the final playoff berth. Newark took over the lead in the wild card race with a win over Camden, one-half game ahead of Long Island. Bridgeport climbed to within three of the Ducks with a dramatic win at York.

Pinch hitter Jed Morris opened the ninth with a line drive single off the top of second baseman Juan Francia's glove and gave way to pinch runner Vic Gutierrez. Michael Woods laced a single into center off closer Bill Simas, whose 22 saves lead the Atlantic League.

Then, the Barnstormers, who had been 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position entering the ninth inning, started to let the opportunity slip away. Anderson Machado struck out on a 3-2 pitch after failing to get a bunt down. Jason Cooper, in his first home game as a Barnstormer, popped to second base. It all boiled down to Herr who took a strike before taking Simas (5-4) out of the yard for the walkoff home run.

Long Island had taken the lead in the top of the ninth. Francia was hit by the first pitch dealt by Eric Ackerman (5-11) and moved to second on a sacrifice by Freddie Thon. Lancaster intentionally walked Ray Navarrete to face the left-handed George Lombard. Lombard, who had singled home two runs in the third, picked up his third RBI of the game with a ground single up the middle before Ackerman could escape the inning.

The Barnstormers scored an unearned run off B.J. LaMura in the first inning. Woods and Machado, who had both walked, pulled off a double steal, and Woods scored when the throw went through third baseman Matt Cavagnaro for an error. Matt Watson added a home run down the right field line in the second for a 2-0 lead before Lombard's bases loaded single off Neal Musser tied the game in the third.

The two teams meet again on Saturday at 6:30 with fireworks following the game. Lancaster will send Ben Fritz (5-6) to the mound against right-hander Jake Dittler (4-7). Tickets are available at www.lancasterbarnstormers.com or by calling 717-509-HITS.

NOTES: Lancaster is now .500 under Tommy Herr (19-19)...Herr's walkoff was Lancaster's third of the season...He now has 69 RBI on the season to lead the club...Nineteen of those have come in his last 18 games...The Barnstormers' last five wins have been by one or two runs...The win was only Lancaster's fourth in 18 tries against Long Island this season.

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