The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Lancaster, Penn. – The Lancaster Barnstormers (23-17) defeated the Somerset Patriots (25-16) 5-2 Thursday afternoon in the series-finale at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a Tyler Bortnick RBI double. Lancaster responded with a four-run bottom of the second to take a 4-1 lead. RBI base hits from Garrett Weber, Tyler Clark, Rico Noel and a Darian Sandford sacrifice fly highlighted the inning.
The Barnstormers added to their lead in the fourth on Noel’s second RBI base hit of the ballgame. Somerset would come back within a run in the top of the sixth on a Bortnick sacrifice fly to center field, but the comeback stalled there.
“Honestly, I have not even been hitting the ball as hard as I want to lately, but it worked out today,” said Bortnick after the game. “I had this [series against Lancaster] circled on my calendar for a while. I enjoyed my time here in the past, but now that I am with Somerset, it feels good to play well here.”
Elih Villanueva (5-1) earned the win after tossing five innings of one-run baseball. Rick Teasley (3-1) suffered his first loss of the year, allowing five runs on eight hits over six innings. Anthony Carter (9) earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
The Patriots return home on Friday to open a three-game series against the Sugar Land Skeeters. First pitch at TD Bank Ballpark is scheduled for 7:05 pm.
Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12th. For more information, stop by theballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to
metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
