GASTONIA, NC – Staten Island suffered a one-run defeat for the third straight night, falling to Gastonia 6-5 Saturday at CaroMont Park. The FerryHawks rallied for three runs in the ninth inning and brought the tying run to the plate for the third consecutive contest, but failed to complete the five-run comeback. 
 
Trailing 6-2 entering the ninth inning, the FerryHawks staged another late-game rally in search of their first win of the season. Working against Onas Farfan, Staten Island went work quickly with a Rymer Liriano walk and Brandon Wagner single. Liriano scored on the single, while Wagner advanced to second on Reece Hampton's first of two ninth-inning errors. After Jesus Balaguer replaced Farfan, Kevin Krause walked, bringing the tying-run to the plate in John Nester. The FerryHawks catcher flew out to right field, but pushed Wagner to third. With one-out Ben Ruta was called out on strikes and then ejected for arguing with home plate umpire Andre Branch. That left the game on the shoulders of pinch-hitter Nortberto Susini, who drove a 1-0 pitch to left and forced Hampton back into action. The left-fielder proceeded to misplay the ball and commit his second error – this allowed Wagner and Krause to cross to make it a 6-5 game. Hampton was redeemed four pitches later when Ricardo Cespedes flew out to left field, halting the rally just short. 
 
Jordan Simpson (0-1) got the ball from Edgardo Alfonzo on Saturday night in his second start of the 2022 season. The Honey Hunters jumped on the right-hander early, scoring five runs in the first two innings. The 26-year-old last three innings, struck out four and walked four. 
 
Staten Island failed to generate much against former Red Sox Marcus Walden (1-0), who twirled five strong innings for his first win. The FerryHawks collected three hits against Walden, with the lone run coming in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Wagner. He struck out three and walked one. 
 
A quartet of FerryHawks relievers managed to limit the Honey Hunters to just one run over the final six innings. Connor Law, Yoel Espinal, Williams Jerez, and Eddie Reynoso combined to give up just two hits with the only run crossing on a Jake Skole groundout in the eighth inning. 
 
Staten Island (0-8) and Gastonia conclude their three-game set on Sunday evening at CaroMont Park. 
 
Postgame Notes: Brandon Wagner (2-for-4) recorded the FerryHawks only multi-hit game...Rymer Liriano drew a FerryHawks-high (3) walks...Staten Island finished 1-for-7 with RISP...