LANCASTER, Pennsylvania – The Staten Island FerryHawks are the strongest team in the Atlantic League, winning 7 of their last 10 games, including Sunday’s 7-4 win over Lancaster.

As a result, the team has played its way back into the playoffs with a 15-21 record in the second half and is only 8.5 games behind North Division leader York with 27 games remaining. The Hawks improved their overall record to 45-54.

Lancaster was in first place until the Hawks came to town and got the upper hand over the defending champions.

Noe Toribio had a successful outfield performance for Staten Island on Sunday, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing four hits and one run, and striking out six Stormers.

Staten Island chased Stormers starter Oscar De La Cruz out of the game, scoring all seven runs against him. Eleven of the 14 hits were also allowed by the opposing starting pitcher.

Five of the Hawks’ nine batters had multiple hits, including Calvin Estrada, who was making just his fourth appearance with the team this season. Estrada led the team with three hits and three RBIs. Along the way, the first baseman hit his first home run of the season in the third inning.

Kolby Johnson, Luis Castro, Pablo Sandoval and Alejandro De Aza also had two goals each. One of De Aza’s goals also left the field, and it was his fifth goal of the 2024 season.

The FerryHawks turned to Bryan Warzek, Brennen Oxford, Josh James and Joe Jones from the bullpen to secure the win. Warzek and Oxford combined for 1.2 hitless innings. James allowed two hits and Jones one, but Lancaster’s three runs in the final two innings were not enough to defeat Staten Island.

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NOTES: The FerryHawks close out their road trip with a three-game sweep of the Long Island Ducks. These Battle of the Belt games will take place Tuesday through Thursday before the FerryHawks return to SIUH Community Park on Friday night and Saturday night with fireworks and a Sunday afternoon series.