Stormers Hang on, Take Series Opener over Somerset
Published on May 29, 2018 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
Although the lead was tested, Ryan Casteel's two-run double in the sixth inning stood for the rest of the game, giving the Barnstormers a 5-3 win against the Liberty Division-leading Somerset Patriots Tuesday evening at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
Lancaster's win snapped a three game losing streak and improved the teams' overall record to 19-8, giving the Barnstormers a two-game lead over Sugar Land in the Freedom Division.
With the score tied at 1-1 entering the home sixth, a leadoff walk for Tyler Bortnick started the uprising. Blake Gailen ripped a single into right to advance Bortnick to second, but the inning also got a boost from Patriots' starter Duane Below (1-2). The lefty fielded a check swing comebacker from Joey Terdoslavich but made a wild force play throw to second, allowing Bortnick to score. Casteel cashed in, crushing a two-run double to left to extend Lancaster's lead 4-1.
Somerset made things cumbersome for the Barnstormers with two runs in the seventh. Stormers' reliever Garett Granitz ran into trouble with one out, allowing the next four batters to reach base, including a walk, an error on a possible double play ball, a single and hitting Somerset's Alfredo Rodriguez. Jared Lakind came in to minimize the damage and from there Barnstormers pitching retired seven of the final nine batters faced.
The Barnstormers were able to pick up an insurance run in the eighth on Trayvon Robinson's long triple to center and a sacrifice fly by Grant Desme.
Lancaster kicked off the scoring three innings deep when Darian Sandford hit a one-out single to score Rico Noel from second.
Somerset was able to tie the game in the fifth when Alfredo Rodriguez' two-out smash toward the middle nailed Nate Reed (5-0) on the right arm, driving home Mike Fransoso from third with an unearned run. Fransoso had reached third on a steal and throwing error.
Reed remained undefeated on the season Tuesday night against Somerset, pitching six innings and allowing one unearned run. Somerset reached him for five hits, but Reed walked none. He struck out only one..
Scott Shuman pinned runners at second and third in the eighth inning, and Matt Reynolds wiped out the side in the ninth on seven pitches to earn his sixth save.
Lancaster continues the three-game set with the Patriots Wednesday evening. Steve Johnson ( 2-1) takes the hill for Lancaster opposed by Kyle Davies (0-1) in a matchup of former big leaguers. Fans may purchase tickets at lancasterbarnstormers.com. Those not attending the game may tune into Blue Ridge Cable 11 or the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 7:00.
NOTES: Casteel's double extended his hitting streak to nine games...Lancaster has a staff ERA of 2.17 over the last 13 games...The Barnstormers are 3-0 against Somerset on the season and remain unbeaten against the Liberty Division...Sandford stole his league-leading 17th base on the front end of a double steal in the third...Reed has not allowed an earned run in three starts, and his season ERA dropped to 1.04.
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