AtL Lancaster Stormers

Nettles' Big Night Eliminates Barnstormers

Published on July 1, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


The Lancaster Barnstormers attempt to hold on to life in the first half ended Tuesday evening as Jeff Nettles singled home two runs in the top of the tenth inning, giving Somerset a 6-4 win in the middle game of a three-game series in front of 4,874 at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Lancaster trails the Patriots by 9 ½ games with nine remaining on the first half schedule.

Eddie Camacho (2-2) walked Sean Smith to open the tenth. The Lancaster lefty induced a pop up to second base out of Mike Rodriguez but walked Josh Pressley on four pitches, moving Smith to second. Matt Hagen hit a slow topper up the third base line for the second out. The Barnstormers opted to pitch to Nettles, who already had three hits, including a homer, in the game. He took an 0-1 pitch from Camacho into center field for the game winner before being thrown out in a rundown.

Bret Prinz nailed the game down from there, striking out the side in the bottom of the inning for his third save.

Somerset grabbed a 3-0 lead in the first. Rodriguez doubled past the first base bag with one out. With Pressley at the plate, Rodriguez was put into motion, and scored on a bouncing single into left field. One out later, Nettles reached the picnic deck in right field for his sixth homer of the season.

Lancaster was able to answer in the bottom of the second. Gerard Haren doubled to left center, and Ryan Mulhern drew a walk. Bryan Sabatella curled a three-run homer around the foul pole to tie the game.

Starters Ricardo Gomez and Jason Standridge took over and kept the score tied at three apiece through six innings before giving way to the bullpens.

The Barnstormers finally snapped the deadlock in the eighth. Michael Woods drew a leadoff walk and promptly stole second. He had to wait through two outs then scored on Haran's long double to left center.

Antonio Alfonseca was brought on for the ninth inning, but Nettles got to him for a leadoff double to left center. Jason Belcher was hit by a pitch, and Teuris Olivares followed with a single to load the bags. Nettles scored as Elliott Ayala grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, tying the game and setting up Nettles' heroics.

The two clubs play the rubber game of the three-game series on Wednesday night at 7:05. It's Bark in the Park night. Fans will be admitted free with a paying dog ($6.00 for a lawn seat). Ben Fritz (3-3) will make the start for Lancaster against Jim Magrane (8-1). Tickets are available at www.lancasterbarnstormers.com

NOTES: Nettles had the first four-hit game against the Barnstormers this season...Gomez threw Lancaster's 25th quality start this season, but only eight have resulted in wins for the starting pitcher...Lancaster lost for only the fourth time in the last 23 home games...It was Lancaster's first loss on the season when the club led heading into the ninth inning...Lloyd Turner had his 23rd multi-hit game of the season; Haran had his seventh in the last nine games.

Check out the Lancaster Stormers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Atlantic League Stories from July 1, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central