Sobkowiak shuts down Bluefish for 4-2 win
Published on May 31, 2006 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
After dropping three straight, two lopsided affairs and a heartbreaking marathon, the Barnstormers badly needed a strong start Thursday morning. They got it from right-hander Scott Sobkowiak.
Sobkowiak (4-1) limited the Bridgeport Bluefish to six hits in 6 1/3 innings, pitching Lancaster to a 4-2 victory at Harbor Yard, keeping the Barnstormers in sole possession of first place in the Southern Division.
Sobkowiak, along with relievers Charlie Weatherby and Scott Patterson, froze Bridgeport?s offense after the second inning, allowing only one Bridgeport runner as far as second base during that time. Sobkowiak survived a leadoff homer by Bryant Nelson and back-to-back singles by Steve Hine and Luis Figueroa to start the second before retiring 14 of the next 17 batters he faced. The Illinois native received some help from the defense as well. Angel Echevarria, who reached on an error, was thrown out at the plate by Jutt Hileman in the first inning, and Lance Burkhart nailed Barry Wesson attempting to steal in the fourth.
Weatherby entered with one out in the eighth after a single by former Barnstormer Norm Hutchins and got Jamie Pogue to ground into a 3-6 double play. Then, after Weatherby surrendered a two-out single to Echevarria in the eighth, Tom Herr went to Patterson, who retired all four batters he faced, two on strikes, to notch his 12th save.
Lancaster struck for two runs in the top of the second. Jose Ortiz legged out a triple to start the inning and scored on a one-out ground ball by Lance Burkhart. Burkhart reached first when Luis Figueroa?s throw sailed out of play. Chris Van Rossum, who went 4-for-4, followed with a single to right center plating Burkhart for a 2-1 lead.
Burkhart ignited the fourth with a double off the boards in left. He went to third on Van Rossum?s second hit and scored when Steve Van Note?s squibber up the third base line died on the chalk as Figueroa tried to let it go foul. Jason Bowers added an RBI single on a grounder to right later in the inning for the final 4-2 margin.
NOTES: Lancaster had two triples in the game..Van Rossum picked up the second in the fifth inning..Reggie Taylor and Jose Ortiz have now hit safely in six straight..Quincy Foster has a five-game streak..Jutt Hileman lost a five-game streak..The four-hit game by Van Rossum was the first for a Barnstormer this season..Patterson leads the league in saves by seven..Lancaster will send Cam Smith (2-0) to the hill Thursday night against Jimmy Journell (1-0)..Game time is 7:05 at Clipper Magazine Stadium..The game is a makeup from the May 11 rainout vs. Bridgeport.
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