VS ROAD WARRIORS
Darwin Soto (7-7, 5.38 ERA) vs.
Jason Benson (NR)
Benson is making his Barnstormers debut tonight. It seems like the appropriate time to ask the question: Who is this guy? He’s a 6-0, 175-pound Michigan native who went undrafted and has never played affiliated ball. The righthander spent one season in the Central League and one in the Can-Am League before playing this summer in the Israel Baseball League. More on him below.
Pre-game notes:
– Benson was signed on the recommendation of Dan Duquette, the former general manager of the Boston Red Sox. Duquette is the director of 
baseball operations for the IBL — which concluded its inaugural season last month.
– Benson was an All-Star in Israel and won a championship as a member of Bet Shemesh. The righthander went 6-1 with a 4.11 ERA in the eight-team league.
– Benson has played in five countries: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel and Australia.
“Interaction with other cultures and religions is really what drives me, and on top of that I get to play baseball and see the world,” Benson said in this article.
– If you didn’t see it earlier, check out the Tom Herr story below for the latest on the team’s managerial search.
FINAL: Barnstormers 5, Road Warriors 2
RECORD: 27-34 (56-68)
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Mike Woods (4-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI). This was Woods’ third four-hit game of the season. Quietly, he has emerged as the Barnstormers’ best player in the second half.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS: Jason Benson debuted. The well-traveled righthander dodged trouble through 5 2/3 innings. He allowed one run despite issuing five walks. This was Benson’s first Atlantic League win.
*The Barnstormers built a 4-0 lead after three innings. Dominick Ambrosini’s RBI single put them ahead in the first. Woods’ RBI single and Danny Gonzalez’s run-scoring double made it 3-0 in the second. Jutt Hileman scored on a passed ball in the fourth.
*Dionys Cesar had two hits as he extended his hitting streak to seven games. He’s hitting .295 in 17 games since joining the Barnstormers last month.
*Derrick DePriest allowed a run and an extra-base hit to a righthanded batter in the ninth. Both are rare occurrences this season. His ERA “soared” to 1.08.
– The Barnstormers snapped their seven-game losing streak. They clinched the season series against the Road Warriors, having won 10 of 16 games.
Darwin Soto (7-7) for the Road Warriors.
Thanks, Dave.
Looking at the weather radar, if the rain rolls in before game time, do you think they’d call it and schedule a double-header tomorrow or say the hell with it, play anyway? With three games left, I don’t see where it makes much difference if they play in the rain.
They’ll do everything they can to play. Saturday’s game is a near sell-out, last I heard.
Tom,
I am going to give him a copy of the picture myself if that is ok.
-Dawes
View from Sec 18.
Let’s hope that Benson is one of the answers we are looking for, for next year. His W-L looks good, and his ERA is a bit high, but that can change appreciably in a few games with some team supportbehind him.
Let’s give him a warm welcome tonight, and cheer the team to a well deserved win.
Go Stormers!
travelin fan,
where are your seats tonight? would like to say hi.
-Dawes
Dawes, we’ll be in 18 R 1&2…looking forward to meeting you.
Benson was interesting on the subect of pitching in Israel.
So far, Jason has looked pretty good. Got himself into a couple of jams with walks, but has been able to get out of them. He might be a keeper. Only time will tell.
Stormers 4 RW 1 after 5
Bridgeport has another IBL pitcher, Rafael Bergstrom. Nice kid….talked to him briefly last Sunday. He’s very warm, very fan friendly…which is important. Got a wicked fast arm. He’s 0-3, throws a lot of strikes, doesn’t give up a lot of walks–but people are able to get key hits off him and for some reason, our bats are not hot when he pitches. Still…despite giving up runs–he’s fun to watch.
I’m interested in how the IBL develops as time goes on. Seems to be a source of players for us…
On a silly note: I’ve got the Yankees/Red Sox game from my favorite place in the world, Fenway Park, on tv. And I’m listening to the Bluefish/Newark game on the ‘net. And periodcially checking the Camden/Somerset game to try to see who’s pitching for Camden tonight.
But I don’t like baseball or anything. Nope. Not at all.
thanks for the score update…… maybe the streak will be over tonight
Ferrari’s pitching in relief for Camden, which is interesting considering he was the scheduled starter tomorrow. Hmmm…
Fireworks are a whole lot sweetter after a win!
Go Stormers 5 – 2
Boy Russ was fun to watch tonight. What a guy. I still vote for him to be Barnstormer of the year! He is a true team player.
wow you guys looked great tonight.. they just wanted to be back with the fans that love them so much..
Rad what you said not true I
I want on the hunt and got to the bottom..
On # 15… He’s kinda cute too…
LOL
That should anger the men here!
Russ was fun to watch too at first base!!! I would vote for Russ for the Barnstormer of the year!!! He was a great highlight this year and I hope he comes back next year!!!
Kelley that is good and thanks for the heads up!!!
I
On #15….He is very good-looking!!!
I second that, I
I had to find that out…
Kelley – change of plans as one of my little ballhawks got in trouble today. Wifey was there with the oldest. They saw you bouncing around from seat to seat. Don’t you know that’s illegal?
there goes dawn lookling again and not talking
scottie, you gonna be there any other game this weekend
Cleveland’s diving stop tonight was something to behold, for sure. Even Woods looked dumbfounded but hey, a stop is a stop and he’s doing remarkably well at 1st. He’s done well as a catcher, he did surprisingly well as a pitcher, he’s done well on 1st base and just think of how much more miserable this year would have been without that cheesy grin in the dugout. After all that it really is too bad they couldn’t see fit to put him on the player of the year list. I might have remembered to vote.
Anyway, good job by Benson tonight, and even better to see him get a standing ovation from the stands.
that would be me!!!
but i like baseball!!! Great job tonight guys!!! Let’s go out with a Bang!!!
Sunday for sure.
undecided on tomorrow night.
depends how my little vultures are during the day.
maybe if you win another dopey will come sit with us in the pen
I’ll be there both nights tommorow I am seat less well kinda have a lawn seat but I will be in the pen
you know i think i will be out in the pen as well!!! cause i am wit ya kelley on seat thing!!!
good game guys. i liked the player video clips on the big board sayng thanks. nice touch.
wow, only 2 more games. it is hard to believe it is almost over.
ditto on the seats, Kelly.
I actually have 7 (unused) tickets left that can only be exchanged forlawn seats. (or standing room in Pat’s section:) ) If you need some, let me know.
Scottie, any chance I could pick up a seat for Sunday’s game?
Any word if The Stormers are going to give the Warriors a “Home” game the way Bridgeport and Newark has done.
Dawes – I don’t have the seats anymore.
tickets need to be exchanged for lawn seating.
If that’s not a problem, then no problem
Jeff Spicoli for MVP!!!!
What Jefferson was saying was, Hey! You know, we left this England place ’cause it was bogus; so if we don’t get some cool rules ourselves – pronto – we’ll just be bogus too! Get it?
Quick easy trivia question,What is Spicolli’s brother’s name?
whack, whack whack …..
That was my skull! I’m so wasted!
After catching the end of this classic tonight, I still can’t believe Sean Penn did not win an Oscar for this performance. He was totally awesome!
Answer to #40 …. Curtis!
I didn’t hear you knock Curtis, entre!
Right on Stormer.
“No shirt,no shoe’s NO DICEEEEEEEE”
I serve no fries before their time!!!
‘Doesn’t anyone Knock anymore”
Spicoli’s pizza is supposed to be double cheese and sausage. When shown, there is no sausage on the pizza.
Damm,that is really finding out a detail.#47
Scottie, that’s fine with me.
Dawes – tentatively, lets say outside the box office at noon? The vultures and I are gonna go inside for the pre-game catch on the field.
If noon is too early, catch is over around 1. And we can meet at the B.O. shortly afterthat.
Pack – let me know where you will be on Sunday. I’ll stop by and introduce myself.
jeff scott for manager of the year. he deserves it.
Works for me. That those guys continue to play like they’re having the times of their lives says a lot about them and about Scott. I wonder how many other players and managers would have that kind of tenacity?
Scottie, 1 should be ok for me. However, it might be better if I could get it tonight. Will you be there?
-Dawes
looking unlikely for tonight.
We just got in after being out all morning & afternoon. The last thing I want to do right now is to try and fight the fireworks crowd at the Clip.
Hi folks,
Great site here – I wish I just didn’t find it now the the season is about over.
Can anyone tell me what time the gates open for Sunday’s game for the catch/autographs? My kids are very excited!
Thanks!
Mike
Mike
I believe gates open at 1205 for Sunday games. They usually leave you are the field for the first 30-45 minutes. I would get there at 12 if you want to get on the field.
I have no info about the autograph session. Sorry.
Have a good time!!!!
Pack,
Thanks for the response – I appreciate it!
Mike
Your kids will love playing catch on the field. Throw them a few up against the wall.
Oh, I plan on it. I’ve got two girls – they have their hot pink baseball gloves ready!
Mike
Ha ha!!!! Great…they will have a great time.
I got to take my daughter on the field last year. Truthfully, I think I had the greater time.
There’s just something about Dads and kids and baseball that can’t be replicated in any other sport.
Kinda sad to see the season end, even with the poor record.
Mike