 |
Chris Steinborn 0-2, 11.32 ERA |
| Kevin Walker 0-0, 6.75 ERA |
|---|
While the focus for the past two months has been on the Barnstormers’ pressing need to find another outfielder, what the team really needs is for Jutt Hileman to regain his old form.
Hileman was among the best center fielders in the league last season. He batted .287 with 17 homers and 82 RBIs and made the All-Star team for the first time in his four-year Atlantic League career. This year the home run numbers are similar, but his batting average (.235), on-base percentage (.285) and slugging percentage (.403) have all taken a sharp decline.
“I’ve been pressing since the first day of the season and it has snowballed on me,” Hileman said.
“It’s tough to hit when you’re not confident. I think most of it is mental. If you’re confident, your fundamentals are usually pretty good. At this point I’m not too confident, so it’s tough to go up there and take the same approach and take the same swings each at-bat. You feel like if it didn’t work, you have to try something else.”
Hileman showed signs of snapping out of his funk against Newark. He went 5-for-12 with two homers and six RBIs in three games. He also drew three walks, which is an indication he’s seeing the ball better and reacting better.
It’s not a coincidence that the Barnstormers scored 36 runs in three games at the same time that Hileman showed a spark at the plate. His presence at the bottom of the lineup can make a big difference if he’s producing at his 2007 level. He’s hoping things will turn around in the final five weeks.
“It doesn’t make you feel good when you know you’re letting the team down,” Hileman said. “I do what I can on the defensive side of the field. But I’m not hitting. If I was hitting like I’m capable of hitting, I think our team would be a lot better. That’s something I’ve got to deal with. I’m still putting in the work. I’m trying to figure it out.”
Hileman said that on Friday. He may have figured it out over the weekend.
Lineups …
14-21 |
17-18 |
|---|---|
| Nic Jackson, CF | Mike Woods, LF |
| Sheldon Fulse, LF | Lloyd Turner, 2B |
| Ron Davenport, 1B | Ian Bladergroen, 1B |
| Shaun Boyd, 2B | Matt LeCroy, DH |
| L.J. Biernbaum, RF | Brian Munhall, RF |
| Tyler Von Schell, DH | David Castillo, C |
| Gabe Suarez, 3B | Ivanon Coffie, 3B |
| Alberto Castillo, C | Jutt Hileman, CF |
| Tim Johnson, SS | Mike Caruso, SS |
NOTE: Danny Gonzalez is out for the second consecutive game with a dental problem.
Scoring summary …
| Riversharks | 000 | 000 | 000 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| Barnstormers | 600 | 010 | 00x | 7 | 8 | 1 |
-
WP: Chris Steinborn (1-2)
LP: Kevin Walker (0-1)
FINAL: Barnstormers 7, Riversharks 0
Stormers 1st: Munhall’s single scores Turner. Castillo’s walk scores Bladergroen. Hileman’s walk scores LeCroy. Munhall scores on Alberto Castillo’s throwing error. Caruso’s double scores Castillo and Hileman.
Lancaster leads 6-0.
Stormers 5th: Castillo hits solo home run.
Lancaster leads 7-0.
PITCHERS:
Barnstormers: Chris Steinborn, Paul Thorp (6), Ross Peeples (8).
Riversharks: Kevin Walker, Federico Baez (6), Buddy Hernandez (8).
RECORD: 18-18 (48-58 )
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Chris Steinborn
| 5.2 IP | 4 H | 0 R | 0 ER | 3 BB | 5 K |
A couple of months ago, Steinborn drove to Lancaster from his hometown of Akron, Ohio just to get a workout with the Barnstormers. The team didn’t have any openings then, but gave him a chance when injuries hit the pitching staff. Steinborn made the most of that chance Monday night. All four hits he allowed were singles as he registered his first win with the Barnstormers.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Barnstormers need to use this series to make up some ground on first-place York. Camden has the worst record in the Atlantic League in the second half and is biding its time until the playoffs. This win was a nice step forward for Lancaster, which is now 2½ games back.
