The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ – The New Britain Bees (32-33) defeated the Somerset Patriots (36-30) 8-7 at TD Bank Ballpark on Wednesday evening.
The Bees broke a 7-7 tie in the eighth inning after Greg Golson tripled and came home to score on a wild pitch for what would be the 8-7 final score.
Trailing 7-6 in the seventh inning, David Vidal launched a game-tying solo home run (4), his first since recently returning to the lineup following an injury.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the field,” said Vidal. “Just getting back out there, getting in rhythm and trying to help the team feels good.”
The Patriots took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on a two-out RBI single by Bryan LaHair.
Former Patriot James Skelton hit a solo home run to deep center field (7), his fourth against Somerset, to tie up the game 1-1 in the top of the third inning.
Eric Farris wasted no time re-gaining the advantage in the bottom of the frame with a leadoff home run (2).
“He fell behind and I worked it to a 3-2 count. I got a pretty good pitch to hit. It was a big moment. If anything, we definitely fought today. It didn’t end up our way, but I think it is a positive how much fight we showed,” Farris said.
The Bees got to starting pitcher Donovan Hand for six runs in the fifth inning. Michael Crouse doubled home a run to tie up the game. Jon Griffin followed with a two-run home run (4) to take the lead. Craig Maddux plated a run with a base hit, Jonathan Roof drew a bases loaded walk, and a sacrifice fly by Greg Golson made the score 7-2.
Somerset answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning. LaHair, who finished the game 2-for-5 with three RBI, doubled home two runs to start the scoring. Carlos Guzman followed with an RBI double to plate LaHair and then scored on an error by the shortstop to cut the lead to 7-6.
“I love the way we came back and showed some fight. We just gave up that one more run and there really isn’t much room for error when you give up that many runs in one inning,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie.
Grady Wood (2-2) got the win, allowing a run on two hits in an inning pitched. Jeremy McBryde (4-2) suffered the loss, allowing a run on two hits and two strikeouts in an inning pitched. Shawn Gilblair earned his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues at home on Thursday, June 30th with a 7:05 pm game against the New Britain Bees. The game features Beach Balls (1st 1,500 Fans) and Health Fair Night presented by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.
