Macias' Career Day Helps Sharks Get Back To Winning Ways

Drew Macias went 3 for 4 with a pair of home runs and a double, and starter Josh Towers pitched well into the 7th, allowing 2 runs while striking out 6 as the Riversharks beat the Lancaster Barnstormers tonight 5-2.

Macias led off the 3rd with a monster solo shot to right that gave the Sharks the early 1-0 lead. They never looked back, scoring twice more in the 4th thanks to an RBI single from DH Noah Hall and a sac fly from Danny Richar that scored Hall two batters later.

Brian Burgamy made it 4-0 Sharks in the 7th when he belted his 13th homer to the deepest part of Clipper Magazine Stadium.

The Stormers rallied in the bottom of the 7th. Tommy Everidge hit a leadoff home run, and two batters later Aaron Herr laced a double to the base of the wall. Brian Jones singled, scoring Herr and cutting the Sharks lead to 4-2. Towers got Iggy Suarez to pop out to second base before manager Von Hayes made the call to the bullpen, bringing in lefty John Bale.

Bale gave up a single to Wayne Lydon but got catcher Matt Tupman to fly out to center for out number three.


But Macias wasn't done. He took Lancaster reliever Evan Englebrook deep in the top of the 9th, and gave the Sharks a little breathing room with a 5-2 lead.

It was more than enough for Jay Marshall, on in relief of Bale. Marshall got Aaron Herr to ground out. A misplayed ball by third baseman Pedro Feliz allowed right firlder Brian Jones to reach, but the game ended when Iggy Suarez lined out to Macias in right and Macias, thinking quickly, doubled up Jones at first base.

Sharks Drop Second Straight

John Halama pitched eight effective innings and Gilberto Mejia went 2-for-4 with a home run as the Lancaster Barnstormers cruised to a 10-4 victory over the Camden Riversharks. Camden has now dropped two in a row since winning eight straight games.

Halama (4-3) did not allow a run until the eighth inning en route to the victory and was relieved in the top of the 9th.

Lancaster struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Matt Watson drove in the game’s first run with a sacrifice fly and Brandon Jones followed that up with an RBI single to give the Barnstormers a 2-0 lead.

Tommy Everidge extended the Barnstormers lead to 3-0 in the 3rd inning with an RBI single that plated Gilberto Mejia.

The Barnstormers blew it open against Federico Baez in the 4th inning. After Matt Tupman connected with an RBI single, Gilberto Mejia hit his 4th home run of the season, a three-run home run, to make it 7-0.

Baez (6-4) lasted just four innings allowing seven runs on eight hits as he took the loss for the Riversharks.

Lancaster added three more runs in the bottom of the 7th highlighted by an RBI single by Brandon Jones to push the lead to 10-0.

Camden finally got on the board in the top of the 8th against Halama as Pedro Feliz launched his 10th home run of the season to make it 10-1. The home run extended Feliz’s hitting streak to ten games.

The highlight of the night for the Riversharks came in the top of the 9th as Shea Harris came on as a pinch hitter and got his first hit of the season, a two-run home run, to cut the deficit to 10-3.

Riversharks Win Streak Ends at Eight

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs scored three runs in the top of the 8th inning to take the lead and held on to beat the Camden Riversharks 7-6 in the final game of their three-game series. The loss snaps the Riversharks season-long winning streak at eight games.

The Riversharks struck first in the bottom of the first as Pedro Feliz brought home Jonel Pacheco with a sacrifice fly to give Camden a 1-0 lead.

Southern Maryland tied up the game at 1-1 in the top of the 3rd courtesy of a sacrifice fly by Bridger Hunt.

After a twenty-six minute rain delay in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Pedro Feliz doubled the Riversharks lead with a two-out, RBI single to make it 2-0.

Camden tacked on three more runs in the 4th inning against Vasquez. Brian Burgamy connected with his team-leading 12th home run of the season, a solo shot to extend the lead to 3-1. Five batters later Ruddy Yan hit a two-out, two-run triple to make it 5-1

The Blue Crabs battled back in the 5th inning with three runs highlighted by a two-run double by Brian Barton to cut the deficit to 5-4.

Southern Maryland took their first lead in the 8th inning with three runs against John Bale. After Brian Barton tied the game with a solo home run, Tanner Townsend broke the tie score with a two-run single to give Southern Maryland a 7-5 lead.

Sharks Pummel Crabs, Have Now Won Eight Straight

The Riversharks scored five runs in the bottom of the 7th to put the game out of reach as they defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for the second straight game by the final score of 10-3.

Carlos Vasquez (7-3) pitched into the seventh inning for the victory allowing three runs on nine hits.

Nick Green (6-5) took the loss allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in six plus innings of work.

The Riversharks struck first in the bottom of the 2nd as Danny Richar and Brian Burgamy hit back-to-back solo home runs to make it 2-0 Camden.

The Blue Crabs battled back for one run in the top of the 3rd when J.R. Hopf scored on Juan Francia’s throwing error to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Ruddy Yan extended the lead to 3-1 in the 3rd inning when he scored on an error by right fielder Adam Godwin.

Trailing 4-2 in the top of the 7th, the Blue Crabs brought the deficit down to a run once again as Bridger Hunt brought home Richard Giannotti with an RBI single.

Camden quickly broke it open though in the bottom of the 7th inning with five runs. After Juan Francia hit a two-run single, Ruddy Yan and Lloyd Turner followed up with RBI base hits to extend the ‘Sharks lead to 9-3. Southern Maryland used four different pitchers in the bottom of the 7th.

The Riversharks will play the final game of their three-game series with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs tomorrow evening. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

SHARKS WIN IN EXTRAS, MY RALLY CAP WILL NOT BE DENIED!

For the second straight night, the Riversharks earned a thrilling walkoff victory, this time defeating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in 14 innings, 4-3.

I'm too tired to write this game summary (did I mention the 14 innings?). So I'll summarize...the summary: The pitching held up, especially the bullpen. The new kid, Joe D' Allesandro gets the win, mainly cause he was one of the last men standing in the bullpen. I'm not kidding. In the 14th, Mumba Rivera and Shea Harris WERE the last two guys in the pen. Guess who started to warm up, just in case he was needed in the 15th?

Shea. Motherfucking. Harris. Poor Mumba.

The offensive heroes: There was Danny "The Rocket" Richar, who went 3 for 6 and scored the tying run in the bottom of the 14th. The winning run came off the bat of the #9 hitter Juan Francia, who's 2 run game winning single generally sent me, Adam, and the other 12 people who stayed till the end into hysterics.


The Riversharks have now won SEVEN STRAIGHT GAMES. They're in sole possesion of the best record in the Atlantic League. Granted the 2nd half has just begun, but still...this is unreal, considering how poorly the 2011 season started for these guys.

Burgamy's New Walk-Up Music

Is "No Cars Go" by Arcade Fire. Anything that'll help BB hit better is OK in my book. His old music was "Your Touch" by The Black Keys. #themoreyouknow

Sharks Complete Sweep Of Ducks, Have Now Won Six Straight

The Riversharks completed a three game sweep of the visiting Long Island Ducks today, winning both games of a twi-nite doubleheader. Camden has now won 6 straight, and moves into sole possession of 1st place in the Liberty Division with a record of 9-3.



Game One saw starter Federico Baez throw 5 effective innings, surrendering only 2 hits and striking out 3. Baez is now 6-3 in 2011 with a 4.57 ERA.

The Sharks got the scoring started in the bottom of the 2nd, as shortstop Danny Richar reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on a balk from Ducks starter Mike Loree, got to third when Brian Burgamy grounded out, and finally scored on a wild pitch from Loree to make it 1-0.



Camden tacked on another run in the bottom of the 5th, when Juan Francia singled in Lloyd Turner to make it 2-0.

The Ducks cut the lead in half in the 6th when John Rodriguez grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Ray Navarette, but Sharks closer Brian Stokes retired the Ducks 1-2-3 in the 7th to earn his 10th save of 2011.


Game Two saw the Riversharks down 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 7th, but fans who'd stayed all day at Campbell's Field were in for an epic rally.

Pedro Feliz led off with a single to right. Juan Francia was brought in to pinch run for Feliz, and stole 2nd exactly one pitch later. Danny Richar walked on 4 pitches from starter Shane Youman.

Brian Burgamy, who was 0 for 4 on the day, singled in Francia to tie the game.


A wild pitch from reliever Ehrenn Wasserman advanced both runners, and Ruddy Yan, pinch hitting for Alvin Colina, sent a soft liner to the outfield that was just deep enough. Richar tagged and scored, Sharks win in walkoff fashion 3-2.

Please Allow Me A Moment To Savor This Image...

Meet The Newest Rivershark, RHP Joe D' Alessandro

Um....not that Joe D' Alessandro.

THIS Joe D'Alessandro was drafted by the New York Mets in 2005 (#689). He is a Glassboro native, and played his college ball for The College Of New Jersey. He most recently pitched for the St. Paul Saints of the American Association, in 36 appearances in 2010 he was 3-3 with a 3.96 ERA.

Sharks Roast Ducks In Series Opener

Drew Macias went 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI triple, and starter J.R. Mathes pitched six effective innings in the blistering heat as the Riversharks extended their winning streak to 4 games, beating the Long Island Ducks 6-2 this afternoon at Campbell's Field.

The temperature at gametime was a scorching 93 degrees, with virtually no wind and high humidity. Macias led off the bottom of the 3rd with a towering homerun to right off Ducks starter Ruddy Lugo, and Juan Francia followed that with a stand-up double. After Jonel Pacheco grounded out and Lloyd Turner lined out to short, Sharks DH Noah Hall brought Francia home with a double of his own. Camden led 2-0 after 3.


The Sharks added another run in the 5th, when Pedro Feliz singled in Pacheco to make it 3-0.



Meantime, Mathes was cruising, allowing only 3 hits in his first 5 innings of work. But in the top of the 7th the Ducks loaded the bases with nobody out, and Mathes was pulled for Jay Marshall. The All-Star reliever got the Sharks out of the inning, but not before the Ducks plated 2 runs. After 7, Camden still held the lead 3-2.

Macias delivered insurance runs in the 8th when he tripled in Danny Richar and Alvin Colina. Macias scored himself when a pickoff attempt by pitcher Ehren Wassermann found no one covering at 3rd base for the Ducks.

Relievers John Bale and Brian Stokes closed out the victory with 1-2-3 innings in relief of Marshall.

Sharks Sweep Doubleheader

The Riversharks hit four home runs and scored a season-high 18 runs en route to an 18-10 victory over the Road Warriors in Game 2 of their day-night double-header. Camden swept the double-header and is now 5-3 in the second-half of the Atlantic League season.

Pedro Feliz gave Camden a 1-0 lead in the 1st inning with an RBI double that plated Lloyd Turner.

Carlos Sosa tied up the game in the 2nd inning with a solo home run, his 12th of the season. Later in the inning Kenny Kelly hit an RBI double to left-center field that gave the Road Warriors a 2-1 lead.

Jonel Pacheco gave the Riversharks the lead back in the bottom of the 2nd with a two-run, triple to make it 3-2 Camden.

Ex-Rivershark Melvin Dorta tied the game at 3-3 in the 3rd with a sacrifice fly that scored Amadeo Zazueta.

The Riversharks blew it open in the bottom of the 4th inning with seven runs against Kelvin Villa. Noah Hall hit his team-leading 11th home run, a two-run homer to make it 7-4. Later in the inning, Jonel Pacheco launched a grand slam to left-center field to increase the lead to 12-4, the first grand slam of the season for Camden.

Pedro Feliz joined the home run parade in the bottom of the 6th with a three-run home run to make it 15-5 Camden.

Feliz was 4-for-5 with four RBIs on the game and finished the double-header with seven hits.

The Road Warriors and Riversharks will finish their three-game series tomorrow night as Benny Cepeda (0-0) will take on Carlos Vasquez (5-3). First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 PM.

Camden Falls in Slugfest

The Bridgeport Bluefish battered around the Camden Riversharks early and often to win the series finale by the final score of 10-7. With the loss today, Camden is now 3-3 in the second half of the Atlantic League season.

Paul Ryan (4-5) went six innings for the victory surrendering four runs on six hits while striking out six.

Federico Baez (5-3) took the loss for the third time in four starts allowing eight runs on ten hits in just four innings.

Bridgeport got off to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st highlighted by back-to-back RBI singles by Andres Perez and Colin Roberson.

The Bluefish built their lead as large as 8-1 in the 4th inning thanks to a two-run home run by Andres Perez and a solo home run by Wes Bankston.

Camden got within three runs in the top of the 9th, but Pedro Feliz flied out to center field to end the game with two runners on base.

Bluefish Comeback From Four-Run Deficit

The Bridgeport Bluefish scored five runs in the 5th inning and held on to beat the Camden Riversharks in the second game of their three-game series by the final score of 7-6. The Riversharks were winning by as many as four runs but were unable to hold the lead.

Raymar Diaz (2-0) picked up the victory despite allowing six earned runs and three home runs in 5.2 innings.

Bridgeport took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the 1st on a solo home run by Angel Berroa and an RBI single by Steve Moss.

Jonel Pacheco brought Camden within a run in the 3rd inning with a solo home run, his 1st as a Rivershark.

Camden took a 3-2 lead in the 4th inning on a two-run home run by Danny Richar, his 7th of the season.

Noah Hall extended the lead in the 5th inning with a three-run home run to build the ‘Sharks lead to 6-2.

The Bluefish battled back in the home half of the 5th with five runs against J.R. Mathes. Angel Berroa brought Bridgeport within a run with a two-run single and Wes Bankston put Bridgeport ahead 7-6 with a two-run single.

Mathes (1-4) took the loss giving up all seven runs on eight hits while striking out three batters.

Riversharks Use Long-Ball to Drown Bluefish

The Riversharks hit three home runs and Carlos Vasquez pitched six effective innings en route to a 7-4 victory over the Bridgeport Bluefish. Camden has now won three of their first four games to begin the second half of the season.

Vasquez (5-3) went the first six innings for the victory allowing four runs on ten hits while striking out three.

Luis Lopez drove home the game’s first run in the bottom of the 1st with an RBI single. Steve Moss followed that up with another RBI single to make it 2-0 Bluefish.

Alvin Colina tied up the game at 2-2 in the 2nd inning with a two-run home run, his second in as many games. Noah Hall homered as well in the inning to give Camden a 3-2 lead.

Bridgeport regained the lead in the 4th inning on a two-run double by Angel Chavez to make it 4-3.

Pedro Feliz wasted no time putting Camden back in front when he hit a two-run home run off Paul Oseguera, his 7th of the season, to give the ‘Sharks a 5-4 lead.

Oseguera (6-3) lasted just five innings allowing five runs on seven hits and five walks.

The ‘Sharks tacked on two insurance runs to extend their lead to 7-4 in the 7th inning courtesy of RBI singles by Toby Hall and Jonel Pacheco.

Sharks Drop Series Finale In Somerset

The Riversharks dropped the final game of the weekend series in Bridgewater, 9-1, on Sunday. Somerset tallied six runs in the bottom of the sixth, proving too much for Camden to overcome.

Somerset struck first in the bottom half of the first inning, as Fernando Cortez singled, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout, and scored on an RBI-single by Josh Pressley.

Camden answered in the second, as Alvin Colina picked up his first homer as a Rivershark, taking a Derrick Gordon offering deep to left field.

The game remained tied at one until the fifth, when Joe Holden scored on a Michael Hernandez sacrifice fly to give the Patriots a one-run advantage.

The sixth inning proved to be the difference in the game, as an RBI-triple by Justin Huber turned into two runs when he scored on a throwing error. After a walk to Matt Hagen and back-to-back singles by Yusuf Carter and Elliot Ayala, Joe Holden hit a grand slam down the left field line for his first long ball of the year, giving the Patriots an eight-run lead.

Derrick Gordon remained perfect on the season for the Patriots, as he moved to 6-0 with the victory. Josh Towers moved to 3-5 with the loss.

Sharks Win Thrilling Slugfest

The Riversharks capped their seventh come-from-behind win of the season by scoring six runs in the top of the ninth to win, 14-9.

The Patriots jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning, as they recorded four consecutive hits off of Camden starter Eddy Camacho.

The Sharks replied in the third, when Brian Burgamy led off the inning with a solo homer, his tenth on the year. Five of the next six Camden hitters recorded singles, and they finished the inning with five runs scored.

Jeff Nettles hit his ninth homer of the year when he drilled a two-run shot to left field in the fifth to tie the game at five runs apiece.

The Patriots scored four runs in the sixth to make it a 9-5 ball game, with Michael Hernandez picking up his ninth round-tripper of the season with two men aboard.

Noah Hall answered the call in the seventh, when he ripped a two-run single to cut the lead to 9-7, scoring Drew Macias and Ruddy Yan.

A two-out double by Lloyd Turner in the eight led to a pinch-hit, RBI-single by Alvin Colina, as the Sharks pulled within one run.

The flood gates opened in the ninth for offense, as Jonel Pacheco singled to lead off the frame, and stole second to get into scoring position. He then advanced to third on a Noah Hall single, and the bases became loaded after a throwing error by Patriots third basemen Jeff Nettles, who had three of the team's four errors in the contest. Pedro Feliz hit a three-run triple to clear the bases, as he picked up his first three-bagger of the season. He then scored on an RBI-single for shortstop Danny Richar. After another Nettles error allowed for Lloyd Turner to reach, Juan Francia dropped down his team-leading sixth sacrifice bunt of the year to advance the runners to second and third. Toby Hall proceeded to drive them in with a single, which was also his fourth hit of the game.

Closer Brian Stokes slammed the door with a perfect bottom of the ninth, as the Sharks won their second game in a row, maintaining a perfect 2-0 record in the second half.

All-star reliever Jay Marshall picked up his first victory of the season, as Andrew Dobies was charged with the loss.

Sharks Hang On Despite Patriots Rally

The Riversharks won the first game of the second half, 7-6, on Friday night.

Camden exploded for five runs in the top of the first, as Pedro Feliz and Danny Richar hit back-to-back home runs off Somerset starter Derell McCall. Lloyd Turner also scored on one of two errors committed by the Patriots in the inning.

Somerset answered in the bottom half of the frame, as Josh Pressley doubled home Michael Hernandez.

The Sharks added two more runs in the third, as Brian Burgamy picked up an RBI-single and Danny Richar recorded a sacrifice fly.

Camden was then held scoreless the rest of the way, as the Patriots' bullpen retired eleven in a row and seven in a row on two separate occasions.

The Patriots battled back throughout the contest, as they scored two runs in the third, one in the fourth, one in the sixth, and one in the seventh.

Federico Baez picked up his fifth win of the season, and Brian Stokes picked up his seventh save

2011 Atlantic League All-Star Game Highlights

Michael Hernandez went 2 for 4 with a triple and a home run, and Val Majewski and Jeff Nettles both homered in the Freedom Division's 7-0 victory over the Liberty Division in the 2011 Atlantic League All-Star Game.


Five Riversharks made the trip to York, and all five saw some action. Outfielder Noah Hall started the game in left field but went 0 for 3. Catcher Toby Hall came into the game in the bottom of the 6th, and in the 8th laced a single to left center.


Second baseman Lloyd Turner subbed for Brandon Pinckney in the bottom of the fifth, and walked in his only plate appearance.


Sharks reliever John Bale struck out the side in the bottom of the 6th. Jay Marshall ran into a little trouble in the bottom of the 7th, giving up a two hits, including Hernandez's triple, that eventually led to 2 runs for the Freedom Division.




Before the game, Long Island Ducks outfielder Matt Esquivel won the AAA Home Run Derby.

The 2011 Atlantic League All-Star Game, In One Image...

What a fantastic day. Full coverage coming shortly...

Sharks Fall in First-Half Finale

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs had twelve hits and scored five two-out runs as they took the rubber game of their three-game series over the Camden Riversharks 5-1. Today’s game was the final game of the first half of the Atlantic League season as the Riversharks finish the first half 23-40.

Michael Schlact (4-0) allowed just three hits and one run in five innings to pick up the win as he remains undefeated this season.

Eddy Camacho (4-1) suffered his first loss of the season for Camden surrendering four runs on a season-high eleven hits.

The Blue Crabs scored three two-out runs in the top of the 1st inning against Eddy Camacho. Ben Harrison drove home the first run with an RBI single and Tanner Townsend followed that up with a two-run double to give Southern Maryland a 3-0 lead.

Camden got one back in the bottom of the 3rd courtesy of a two-out, RBI single by Lloyd Turner that scored Ruddy Yan.

Southern Maryland quickly regained their three-run lead in the top of the 4th on an RBI double by J.R. Hopf.

Ben Harrison provided another insurance run for the Blue Crabs in the 7th inning with an RBI single that scored Brandon Pinckney.

Players Keep Dreams Alive In Independent Leagues

This story is taken from Sacbee / Sports

Special to the Bee

Published Sunday, Jul. 10, 2011

They play for teams such as the Camden Riversharks, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, Normal CornBelters and Washington Wild Things. They are the dreamers, the hangers-on and the has-beens, all seeking one last hurrah and one last chance to display their talents in hopes of gaining a major league team's interest.

Such is the life of a player on one of the 58 teams in the six independent leagues throughout the United States and Canada. Independent league rosters consist of former college players who either weren't selected in the free-agent draft or were drafted and subsequently released.

The most notable Sacramento-area figure on an independent team is former major league catcher Toby Hall (El Dorado High School, American River College). Hall signed with the New Jersey-based Riversharks of the Atlantic League.

Hall, whose career began in 1997, has not appeared in a major league game since undergoing shoulder surgery in April 2009. He signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers in January.

While rehabilitating a shoulder injury at extended spring training, he was released. He stayed at spring training trying to catch on with another team, but at age 35, and with shoulder problems, he had no takers.

So he went the independent route.

"It's been frustrating, but I just need to get back on the map and show everybody I'm healthy again," Hall told the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times when he worked out for the Tampa Bay Rays in spring training.

Other locals playing in independent leagues include:

• Louis Ott (Sacramento City College) with the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association.

• Brandon Pinckney (Elk Grove High, Sac City) with the Blue Crabs and Jason Norderum (Sac City) with the Road Warriors, who play all their games on the road, in the Atlantic League.

• Preston Vancil (West Campus, American River College) with the Florence Freedom, Doug Thennis (Mesa Verde, American River) with the Wild Things and Steve Alexander (Rocklin High, Sac City) with the CornBelters of the Frontier League. Matt Pulley (Woodland High) is the infield/catching coach with the Traverse City Beach Bums.

• Rex Rundgren (Sac City) with the Lake County Fielders, Jason Stevenson (Sac City) and Jason Roenicke (Nevada Union) with the Chico Outlaws and David Dinelli (Folsom High, Sierra) and J.J. Sherrill (Sac City) with Maui Na Koa Ikaika of the North American League.

• John Bonifacini (Jesuit) with the Carlsbad Bats of the Pecos League.

There are no area players in the Can-Am League.

Every year, major league teams pluck a handful of players from the leagues and assign them to one of their minor league affiliates. And, every once in a long while, someone reaches the big leagues.

Independents, formerly known as outlaw teams, are pro organizations unaffiliated with either the major leagues or their minor league teams. They can play near major and minor league cities without approval.

Salaries range from $600 to $2,000 a month. A team's entire payroll is less than one-third of the major league minimum for one player ($414,000). The highest payrolls are in the Atlantic League because it consists mostly of ex-major leaguers and those with Double-A and Triple-A experience.

In addition to receiving monthly salaries, independent players live with host families. They receive meal money while on the road, postgame meals and extra pay for appearances around town and for assisting with local camps and clinics.

Some teams "pass the hat" among fans to supplement players' income. When a player hits a home run or strikes out the side, a hat is passed around, and fans contribute money for him.

Hat passing is not an independent league innovation. Former major leaguer Greg Vaughn (Kennedy, Sac City) once said he loved playing for El Paso in the Texas League in 1988. The Milwaukee Double-A affiliate passed the hat, and Vaughn said he could make $300 a night for a home run (and he hit 28 of them).

Sharks Split Doubleheader

After a rainout last night, the Camden Riversharks and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs split their seven-inning double-header today. The Riversharks fell 11-1 in Game 1 but bounced back in Game 2 with a 4-2 victory.

In Game 1, Virgil Vasquez (4-5) pitched the first six innings allowing just one run en route to the victory as he retired eleven of the last twelve batters he faced.

J.R. Mathes (1-3) took the loss allowing seven runs (four earned) and six hits in five innings of work.

The Blue Crabs blew Game 1 open in the 3rd inning with four runs to break a 1-1 tie highlighted by a two-run error by Mathes and an RBI triple by Brian Barton.

Christian Lopez put it out of reach in the 6th inning with a two-run double to push the lead to 7-1.

In Game 2, Carlos Vasquez delivered the goods pitching six strong innings allowing two runs on six hits.

Nick Green (5-3) took the loss giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits in just three innings of actions.

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the 2nd inning, Camden responded with two runs to take the lead. Juan Francia singled home Ruddy Yan to tie the game and scored on Jonel Pacheco’s groundout to take a 3-2 lead.

Alvin Colina provided a huge insurance run in the 6th inning with his first hit as a Rivershark, an RBI double, that made it 4-2.

The Blue Crabs and Riversharks will play the final game of their three game series tomorrow as Michael Schlact (3-0) faces off against Eddy Camacho (4-0). First pitch is scheduled for 5:35 PM.

How The Other 3/4 Lives, Part II: Clipper Magazine Stadium

Clipper Magazine Stadium is a 6,000-seat baseball park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that hosted its first regular season baseball game on May 11, 2005, when the tenants of the facility, the Lancaster Barnstormers, lost to the Atlantic City Surf, 4-3. The ballpark also hosts the New Era Tournament for midget baseball and the Lancaster-Lebanon League high school baseball championship, and was the site of the 2008 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference baseball championship. In October 2008, the venue hosted vice-presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, for the Road to Victory rally during the 2008 United States presidential election.


Clipper Magazine Stadium also serves as the corporate headquarters for the Opening Day Partners, the ownership group of the Barnstormers and three other Atlantic League teams.
The ballpark is named for Clipper Magazine, a local periodical company, which purchased the naming rights for $2.5 million over ten years.


Forty-four years before the opening of Clipper Magazine Stadium and the Lancaster Barnstormers' inaugural season, the Lancaster Red Roses entertained baseball enthusiasts for 20 years at Stumpf Field. Efforts for a new stadium and a new team began in 1987, and what was a long sixteen-year battle finally paid off with an announcement in 2003.


The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agreed to fund roughly half of the cost with Opening Day Partners and the city of Lancaster covering the remainder. The original plan in 2001 called for a proposed, $20-million ballpark to be constructed on the Diseley Farm site, across from Long's Park in Manheim Township. However, those plans were cancelled because of residential concerns about traffic and political concerns about the use of eminent domain and rezoning.


After this plan was terminated, most Lancaster County politicians preferred a downtown ballpark in order to revitalize a run-down neighborhood. The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster settled on an industrial site on the corner of North Prince and Frederick streets, where a company called Ace Rents existed. Initially, Ace Rents stalled the process, but quickly came to an agreement as they did not want to cause delay. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 28, 2004, and Clipper Magazine Stadium was finished just before it opened on May 11, 2005.

It's a Beautiful Year, Let's Play Two

A baseball season is long, even a split season, and a losing season feels even longer, and when you are checking the standings every day to see if you are still a game or two superior to the Road Warriors who never sleep in their own beds or bat last, I imagine it feels longer still. Winning is awesome, and you can infer the inverse.

In such seasons, It's nice to find little victories. What can you take away from a loss in which you were outhit 19-11? If you must find something, how about only a single walk in 44 Barnstormer plate appearances and that one was an IBB to Aaron Herr. The Sharks D and pitching stranded 11 including 7 in scoring position, most notably in the top of the 8th when John Bale pitched out of a 2nd and 3rd 1 out jam with the aforementioned walk which loaded 'em up sandwiched between a 4-3 and then a liner to right to end the inning.

The Sharks starting pitching has improved exponentially since the first half of this first half, in which even little victories were scarce, and now the bullpen is shaping up nicely. I'm looking forward to the second half. Yes, I know this game is designed to break your heart and split seasons are designed to break it twice, but I still say, without a trace of irony. "It's a beautiful year, let's play two"

Sharks Sign Colina

The Riversharks signed catcher Alvin Colina this week. In 40 games with the Barnstormers this season, Colina batted .220 with 29 hits and 10 RBIs.

Riversharks Lose Slugfest

Iggy Suarez had his second straight four-hit game as the Barnstormers pounded out 19 hits en route to an 8-6 victory in the final game of their three-game series over the Camden Riversharks. Camden has now dropped back-to-back series.

J.D. Durbin (2-1) picked up the victory after going the first six innings allowing five runs on eight hits.

Adam Calderone got the Barnstormers on the board in the top of the 1st with a two-out, RBI single that scored Tommy Everidge to make it 1-0 Lancaster.

Camden responded right away in the bottom of the 1st inning against J.D. Durbin. After Drew Macias drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 1-1, Lloyd Turner beat out an infield single and brought home Danny Richar to give the ‘Sharks a 2-1 lead.

Noah Hall doubled the Riversharks lead in the 2nd inning with an RBI single that plated Jonel Pacheco to make it 3-1 Camden.

Lancaster got the lead back with three runs in the top of the 3rd highlighted by Iggy Suarez’s two-run double.

Suarez finished the series 11-for-13.

The back-and-forth game continued in the bottom of the 4th when Noah Hall’s two-run double put Camden back on top 5-4.

The Barnstormers recaptured the lead in the 6th and chased Josh Towers from the ballgame. J.C. Holt followed up an RBI triple by Gilberto Mejia with an RBI single to give Lancaster a 6-5 lead. Iggy Suarez then delivered an RBI single to make it 7-5.

Towers (3-4) went 5.1 innings allowing seven runs on a season-high 13 hits.

Gilberto Mejia got the Barnstormers another insurance run in the 7th inning with an RBI single that scored Aaron Herr to extend the lead to 8-5.

On The Sharks 2011 All-Stars

Five players from the Sharks will be included in this year's Atlantic League All-Star Game: Pedro Feliz, John Bale, Jay Marshall, Toby Hall and Lloyd Turner.

I have somewhat of a problem with this.

Let's start with the pitchers. Jay Marshall has been lights out this season. In 31 games so far, his ERA is the best on the team's at 1.52. His WHIP is a respectable .96, he's walked 6 and struck out 10. I've got no problem with him.

John Bale, who's second only to Marshall for lowest ERA, has pitched six more innings than Marshall, but has given up nearly TWICE as many hits. His WHIP is a slightly lackluster 1.41. Atlantic League batters are hitting nearly 70 points higher off Bale than off Marshall.

Guys like Eddy Camacho (4-0) and Federico Baez (4-2) were passed over, and I'm not quite sure why. Both are proven, quality starters. Camacho began his year in the bullpen and was pressed into the starting role when Robert Rohrbaugh and Chris Mason were released. Baez has been the most consistent pitcher in the rotation, and may have the best stuff.

Hall is solid behind the plate, but making an All-Star out of a guy batting .255, who runs slower than a slow motion replay of the continents shifting? Please.

Noah Hall is batting .288 with 28 RBI's this year. His OPS is the highest on the team at .864. Burgamy, who's slumping recently but still has an OPS close to .8, is leading the team in both RBI's and home runs. And you're telling me Pedro Feliz and Lloyd Turner deserve to be All-Stars over those guys?

Riversharks Shutout by Barnstormers

Iggy Suarez was 4-for-4 and Matt Wright pitched into the seventh inning as the Lancaster Barnstormers knocked off the Camden Riversharks by the final score of 6-0. The Riversharks have now been shut out three times this season.

Wright (2-5) pitched 6.2 scoreless innings allowing just two hits while striking out five batters for his first win since June 3rd.

Aaron Herr gave Lancaster the lead in the top the 2nd when he connected with his 5th home run of the season, a solo shot, to give the Barnstormers a 1-0 lead.

Federico Baez (4-2), making his first start since coming back from injury, went the first three innings allowing one run while striking out four batters.

Lancaster doubled their lead in the top of the 5th on Iggy Suarez’s RBI single to make it 2-0. Suarez is now 7-for-8 in the first two games of this series.

The Barnstormers added insurance runs in the 8th inning when Ozzie Chavez and Gilberto Mejia drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks to make it 4-0. Suarez then followed with a two-out, two-run single to extend the Lancaster lead to 6-0.

Pacheco Contributes Immediately, Defense Shines In 4-1 Win

Newly acquired outfielder Jonel Pacheco hit a leadoff double, and two batters later Brian Burgamy belted a 2 run shot over the right field wall to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead over the visiting Lancaster Barnstormers. The Sharks never looked back, and won the game 4-1 on a scorching hot night at Campbell's Field.

Pacheco, signed just yesterday by the Sharks, was batting .285 with 6 homers and 27 RBI's in 50 games with the Road Warriors this season. He brings some offensive pop back into a Sharks lineup that recently lost two of their best hitters in Raul Padron and Mike Lamb.

The Sharks defense came up big tonight. In the bottom of the fifth Drew Macias made a spectacular diving catch to rob Iggy Suarez of a base hit. In the eighth, Lloyd Turner's dazzling shoestring grab robbed Tommy Everidge.


But Lancaster managed to cut the lead to one in the top of the 6th when Everidge took starter Eddy Camacho deep to right center. With runnners on, they seemed likely to tie it up. But with 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs, Camacho got Adam Calderone to ground out softly to first to retire the side. Camacho went 6 2/3 innings, giving up one run and striking out two. He's now 4 and 0 as a starter this season.


The Sharks then added some insurance runs. In the 7th Pedro Feliz scored on a wild pitch from reliever Jon Huber to make it 3-1, and in the 8th Danny Richar took a TJ Beam offering and lined it over the right field wall to make it 4-1 Sharks.

Brian Stokes picked up his 5th save of the season when he struck out Gilbeto Mejia to end the game.

Sharks Lose Fourth Straight, Are Now 0 For July...

Starter John Van Benschoten cruised though 7 2/3 innings, allowing only one run on six hits in the Rev's 3-1 victory over the Camden Riversharks today.

The lone run for the Sharks came in the top of the first inning, when Danny Richar grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that scored Drew Macias to make it 1-0.


York tied the game in the fifth, when centerfielder Chris Walker singled to left to score Octavio Martinez. They added two more in the sixth to make it 3-1, when a Val Majewski triple scored Chris Nowak, and Majewski scored on a wild pitch one batter later.

Meantime, Van Benschoten was busy mowing through the Sharks lineup, retiring 21 of 27 batters before being lifted in the eighth for reliever Ricardo Gomez.


The Good: The bottom of the Sharks order produced nearly all of the hits today, with Juan Francia and Ruddy Yan combining to go 4 for 5. Relievers Mike Koplove and Brian Stokes both pitched scoreless innings in relief of starter Carlos Vasquez. Lloyd Turner gunned down Scott Grimes at the plate for a 7-2 inning ending putout in the fifth.

The Bad: Danny Richar, Pedro Feliz, Brian Burgamy, Noah Hall and Toby Hall went an appalling 0 for 17. With six strikeouts.

The Ugly: The Sharks, who started out terrible in May (7-18), then got better in June (14-13), are starting out July 0 and 4.


If you weren't at the game today (I checked, you weren't) this is pretty much how it went down, if you replace Mola Ram with the Revs and the "Om Namha Shivaye" guy with the Sharks.

Camden Drops to 0-5 at York

The York Revolution pounded out 15 hits and Chris Cody gave up just two runs as the Riversharks lost their third straight game by the final score of 5-3. Camden is now 0-5 on the season at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

Cody (6-4) pitched into the 7th inning and picked up his second victory of the season against the Riversharks.

Jose Herrera brought home Chris Walker with an RBI groundout for the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st inning.

Octavio Martinez made it 2-0 York in the 2nd inning with an RBI single off J.R. Mathes that scored Eric Eymann.

Camden cut the lead in half in the top of the 3rd on when Drew Macias scored on Juan Francia’s RBI single.

Herrera picked up his 2nd RBI of the night in the bottom of the 3rd with an RBI groundout that scored Chris Walker once again.

The Riversharks got back within a run again in the top of the 4th after Pedro Feliz scored on Danny Richar’s fielder’s choice.

Martinez drove in his 2nd RBI of the night in the 6th inning with an RBI single that scored Val Majewski.

Martinez finished the game 2-for-4 with the two runs batted in.

Mathes (1-2) allowed a season-high 13 hits and five runs in 6.2 innings.

Revolution Hand Sharks Second Straight Loss

Jose Herrara hit two home runs and Matt DeSalvo pitched seven strong innings as the York Revolution took the first game of their three-game series with the Camden Riversharks by the final tally of 10-4. York is now just a game behind Lancaster for first place in the Freedom Division.

DeSalvo (4-3) gave up four runs in seven innings of work for the victory and held the ‘Sharks scoreless in his last five frames.

Camden took a 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st on back-to-back solo home runs by Danny Richar and Pedro Feliz. Richar and Feliz were the only two Riversharks hitters to have multi-hit games.

The Revolution answered right back in the bottom of the 1st against Josh Towers as Herrera tied the ballgame at 2-2 with his first home run of the game, a two-run shot.

Drew Macias put the Riversharks back on top at 4-2 in the 3rd inning with a two-run home run, his 5th of the season.

Jose Herrera gave the Revolution the lead right back in the bottom of the 3rd when he hit a three-run home run to give York a 5-4 advantage.

York blew it open in the 4th inning against Towers when Chris Walker and Ramon Castro hit back-to-back, two-run singles to extend the lead to 9-4.

Towers (3-3) allowed a season-high nine runs on eight hits in just 3.2 innings.