The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Waldorf, MD – The Somerset Patriots (13-6) extended their winning streak to five games by defeating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (13-8) 7-5 in 13 innings Friday evening from Regency Furniture Stadium. In the top of the 13th inning first baseman Thomas Neal (1) and right fielder Chris Marrero (3) smacked back-to-back home runs to left field to propel the Patriots to victory in the series opener.
In the top of the third inning center fielder Jonny Tucker hit a RBI fielder’s choice to give Somerset a 1-0 advantage.
Marrero sliced a RBI double to expand Somerset’s lead to 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning.
The Patriots tacked on a run in the top of the seventh inning when catcher James Skelton spanked a RBI double to increase the lead to 3-0.
Southern Maryland got on the scoreboard in the ensuing half inning when shortstop Casey Frawley recorded a RBI single to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Third baseman David Vidal poked a RBI single in the top of the eighth inning to make the score 4-1 in favor of the Patriots.
Left fielder Cyle Hankerd pounded a solo home run (4) as the score became 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Blue Crabs rallied to tie the contest at 4-4 plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning thanks to RBI singles by right fielder Fred Lewis and center fielder Antone DeJesus.
Skelton pounded a go ahead RBI single in the top of the 12th inning to temporarily put Somerset in front 5-4.
First baseman Zach Wilson legged out a two out, RBI infield single to even the score at 5-5 in the home half of the 12th inning to prolong the game.
With the victory Somerset improved to 4-0 in extra innings and tallied its seventh win in its final at bat through its first 19 games of 2015.
David Harden earned the win (1-0) in relief. Sean Keeler (1-1) suffered the loss in relief. Buddy Boshers tallied the save (1) pitching a perfect final inning.
The 2015 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue on the road until the Patriots return to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Bridgeport Bluefish on Tuesday, May 19th. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
