AtL Lancaster Stormers

Rockers Take Second Straight, 6-3

Published on July 21, 2021 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release


The Lancaster Barnstormers cannot seem to solve the High Point Rockers. In particular, they cannot solve Stephen Cardullo.

For the second straight night, Cardullo belted a two-run homer off the Lancaster bullpen, this time adding a pair of fine defensive plays to cut off budding rallies as the Rockers defeated the Barnstormers, 6-3, to win their second straight in a three-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Cardullo connected off newcomer Brent Teller in the top of the seventh inning for the clinching blow on the night, a towering drive that clinked off the left field foul pole. The third baseman also charged a slow bounder by Nick Shumpert leading off the seventh and a bunt by Cleuluis Rondon in the ninth, making barehanded pickups on both and recording the first out in each inning.

High Point grabbed an early 2-0 lead off Francisco Mendoza (0-1). The Rockers filled the bases on three singles to right. Jerry Downs and Stuart Levy raced home when Blake Allemand misconnected with Rondon on a potential double play grounder, and the ball rolled into shallow left.

The Rockers tacked on a run in the third when Michael Russell doubled to right center and scored two batters later when Downs cracked a double into the right field corner.

Lancaster narrowed the gap when Alejandro De Aza singled home Rondon in the third and another in the fourth when Kelly Dugan singled, took third on a double by Allemand and scored on a ground out by Anderson De La Rosa.

High Point starter Ricky Knapp (4-3) worked six innings, allowing eight hits and two runs. He did not walk a batter and struck out six.

The Barnstormers' final opportunity came in the eighth when lefty Brian Clark walked LeDarious Clark and hit Dugan with a pitch. With two outs, reliever Joe Johnson missed with his first nine pitches, forcing home one run before retiring Shumpert on a routine grounder to second.

Daniel James worked a perfect ninth for his first save.

The Barnstormers and High Point will conclude the three-game set, and the Barnstormers' 15-game homestand, Thursday at 11:00 AM. Dominic DiSabatino (6-3) will be seeking his sixth straight win. He will match up against fellow right-hander Tommy Lawrence (3-1). Fans may follow the game on the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, starting at 10:55.

NOTES: De Aza has hit safely in 11 of 12, batting .444 (20-45)...LeDarious Clark has stolen second the last five times he has reached base safely...Allemand was limited to swinging from the left side of the plate...The Barnstormers are 5-20 all-time against High Point.

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Atlantic League Stories from July 21, 2021


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