Bees Sting Barnstormers

The Bees wrapped up a successful 4-3 road trip with a 13-9 win over the
Lancaster Barnstormers in a Wednesday afternoon matinee tilt. (Photo
courtesy of Joe Doll)

LANCASTER, PA—The New Britain Bees defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers in 13-9 slugfest at Clipper Magazine Stadium on Thursday afternoon to take the rubber game of a three-game series in the Red Rose City. New Britain starting pitcher Cory Riordan (2-2) earned up the victory after giving up five runs (three earned runs) on ten hits in five innings on the bump, walking two while striking out four. Lancaster starter Jake McCasland (1-4) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs (four earned runs) on eight hits (one home run) in four innings pitched, walking three while striking out one while tossing a wild pitch.

New Britain jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top half of the third inning by way of a Jared James run-scoring base knock and a three-run home run cracked over the wall in right field off the bat of Alexi Amarista which gave the visitors a roundtripper in a season-best five consecutive games overall. Leading 5-2 in the home half of the fourth frame, Lancaster fought all the way back to tie the ballgame at five by way of a two-out, game-tying RBI single off the bat of Joe Terdoslavich. The Bees countered with five more runs in the next two innings to regain the advantage 10-5 as they were at it once again with the long ball, this time the honors went to Alejandro De Aza who blasted a solo tater to right (extending his hitting streak to a season-high 12 straight contests), and a two-run jack to right centerfield from Jonathan Galvez. New Britain stung the Barnstormers pitching staff to the tune of three more insurance runs in the late innings when Jason Rogers joined the RBI parade with a base knock while De Aza produced a sacrifice fly and James was handed a free pass with the bases loaded, the last of 11 walks surrendered by Lancaster pitchers, the most registered by the Bees in a single contest as they also put up the most runs and hits in a game on the busy afternoon in the Keystone State. Galvez led the way with four hits overall, the fourth four-hit performance by a New Britain batter just 24 games into the young season (De Aza: Apr. 30 at York, James: May 5 at High Point, and Rogers: May 18 at Long Island in game one of a day/night doubleheader).

New Britain finished a seven-game, two state road trip with a record of 4-3 (taking four of the last five games) and conclude a stretch of playing 19 of their first 24 games of the season on the road with a 10-9 record in those games. With the win over the Barnstormers, the Bees improve to 11-13 overall, while Lancaster falls to 9-15.

The Bees return the Hardware City tonight when they welcome in the High Point Rockers to New Britain Stadium for the first time in franchise history, kicking off a three-game Memorial Day Weekend series as well as a seven-game homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35p.m. It will be the Bees Best Bites Wing Night! When the gates open at 5:35 p.m., everyone in attendance can purchase a wristband for just five dollars, enabling them to try wings from local restaurants and vote for their favorites! It will also be another Fat Tire Friday, as fans 21 and older can enjoy Fat Tire Belgian Ale drafts for just five dollars! CLICK HERE for tickets.

About the Bees

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.

—Staff Reports