DeLuca's go-ahead hit lifts Lancaster past Long Island 6-5

Joe DeLuca singled home David Smith in the top of the eighth, and Phil Diehl locked down the final inning with the potential tying run stuck at third as Lancaster escaped Long Island 6-5 at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.

The Stormers built a 4-0 cushion before the Ducks ever settled in. Melvin Mercedes cleared the bases with a second-inning triple and then scored on Corey Rosier’s single, giving Lancaster early control behind Matt Swarmer, who held Long Island to one run over six innings.

That lead disappeared fast in the seventh. After Richie Dell struck out Jorge Bonifacio, Long Island pieced together a rally with singles from Alsander Womack and Oscar Hernandez and a walk by Wilmer Difo to load the bases. Kole Kaler then ripped a line-drive double over Troy Schreffler in left to cut the deficit to two, and Gavin Collins followed with a tying single.

Lancaster answered in the next half-inning. Smith doubled inside the third-base bag off Eddie Reynoso to start the inning, and DeLuca lined a single through the left side to bring him in. It was DeLuca’s first RBI since June 19.

Cole Patten worked a clean eighth, then Diehl handled the ninth for his sixth save of the season and fourth in the last week. Over his last four saves, Diehl has allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out nine in 4 2/3 innings. Long Island could not push the tying run home, and Lancaster won by one run.

Corey Rosier reached base safely for the 20th straight game with two singles and a walk, Mercedes has eight RBI in 23 at-bats, and four Lancaster batters were hit by pitches in the contest. The win moved the Stormers to 40-33, with the Ducks at 44-29, and the rematch was set for Wednesday morning at 11:05 a.m.