Camp: Day 3

The Barnstormers opened their exhibition schedule with a well-pitched and crisply-played game. They defeated the Long Island Ducks 3-1 at Charlie Gehringer Field Thursday morning.

This was the first glimpse of the 2008 team and a chance to see how Von Hayes will manage. His lineup, shown below, was a little different than expected. The manager was also aggressive on the bases. C Lance Burkhart stole a base and 1B Matt LeCroy was caught stealing third on what appeared to be a botched hit-and-run.

The pitching was stellar and was the highlight of the morning. Zack Parker, Eric Ackerman, Ross Peeples and Ryan Cullen — all lefties — held Long Island to one run on four hits.

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The recap …

Scoring summary …

Ducks	001	000	000	1
Barnstormers	100	001	010	3

Stormers 1st: Matt LeCroy’s single scores Mike Woods.
Barnstormers lead 1-0.

Ducks 3rd: Donaldo Mendez’s single scores Kevin Haverbusch.
Game tied at 1.

Stormers 6th: Jason Perry’s single scores Lance Burkhart.
Barnstormers lead 2-1.

Stormers 8th: Brian Stavisky’s sacrifice fly scores Woods.
Barnstormers lead 3-1.

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Box score:

Player	AB	R	H	BI
Mike Woods, 2B	4	2	1	0
Lance Burkhart, C	2	1	1	0
sub-Manny Mejia, C	1	0	1	0
Brian Stavisky, RF	3	0	0	1
Matt LeCroy, 1B	4	0	2	1
Jason Perry, CF-LF	3	0	1	1
Ian Bladergroen, DH-1B	4	0	0	0
Dominick Ambrosini, LF	2	0	0	0
sub-Jutt Hileman, CF	2	0	0	0
Vasili Spanos, 3B	3	0	1	0
John Nelson, SS	3	0	0	0
Lloyd Turner, UT	3	0	2	0
Totals	34	3	9	3

The lineup:

There were a few surprises. Burkhart batted second, which is something he has never done during his career with the Barnstormers. Perry played CF instead of Hileman, who came off the bench. Bladergroen was the DH. It’s worth noting that Lancaster started 10 players just to get as many individuals at-bats as possible.

Will we see this lineup on opening day?

“It might be close,” Hayes said. “Obviously it depends on who we face, lefthander or righthander, that kind of stuff. I was real happy with the way the guys swung the bats. We put together some pretty good innings. It’s just the first day, but guys are already starting to grind out at-bats. They know they can’t give away too many here because there aren’t a lot to go around before we start.”

Perry got the nod in CF because Hayes wanted to look at the outfielder’s defense there. Hileman is expected to start, except against the occasional tough righty.

“He’s going to be our center fielder,” Hayes said. “He’s probably one of the best center fielders in the league. This is a time to look at some people also, look at some different scenarios.”

What about Burkhart in the 2-hole?

“He’s a guy that can control the bat,” Hayes said. “He’s not a dead pull hitter. He can spray the ball around and I think if you give him some fastballs, he’s going to do some damage. I think it’s a good fit for him. There is a kid who hit second for me all year and now he’s in the big leagues catching for the A’s: Kurt Suzuki. I see (Burkhart) as a very similar type hitter. Someone who is not selfish and will do the things it takes to set up the innings.”

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Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Zack Parker	3	3	1	1	0	1
Eric Ackerman	3	1	0	0	1	1
Ross Peeples	2	0	0	0	1	4
Ryan Cullen	1	0	0	0	1	0

Highlights:

*Parker was strong. He hit 88 mph with his fastball and had good movement on his cutter. He didn’t walk anyone, which is an important step for any pitcher early in camp. He remains in line to start the opener.

*Ackerman hit 89 with his fastball and is working on a changeup. He thinks he’ll need a fourth pitch if he’s going to excel as a starter.

*Peeples was outstanding. No one pitched better. He retired six of the seven batters he faced and struck out four of them.

*Cullen is probably the de facto closer until Sendy Rleal and Jose Cabrera make it.

“It’s a possibility,” Hayes said. “He’s probably the most experienced guy out there from what we have in camp right now.”

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In the paper: The feature in the New Era Friday will focus on P Tim McClaskey. He talked about being an older player in a young man’s game and about a health scare that kept him off the mound for three months last summer. More on him on the blog later.

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The Barnstormers held an afternoon workout focused on fielding bunts today. They face the York Revolution in an exhibition game Friday at 10 a.m.