The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Central Islip, N.Y. – The Somerset Patriots (36-22) split Tuesday’s single-admission doubleheader with the Long Island Ducks (29-29) at Bethpage Ballpark. The Ducks took game one 8-4, while Somerset salvaged the split with an 8-2 decision in game two.
Somerset opened the scoring in the top of the first on an RBI single to center field from Greg Golson. Long Island evened the score in the bottom of the inning on a two-out RBI single from Angelo Songco. 
Scott Kelly’s two-out RBI triple to right-center field in the second regained a brief 2-1 lead for the Patriots before the Ducks responded with a Lew Ford RBI groundout and Songco RBI single in the third to take a 3-2 advantage.
Somerset tied the game in the top of the third on an Alfredo Rodriguez RBI double to right-center, but Long Island quickly responded again. A four-run fourth inning, led by RBI base hits from Anthony Vega, Songco and Elmer Reyes gave the Ducks a 7-3 lead.
A sacrifice fly from Aharon Eggleston brought Somerset within three in the top of the fifth before Long Island topped off the scoring in the bottom of the inning on a Fehlandt Lentini two-out RBI double.
John Lannan (1-0) earned the win after a scoreless third of an inning. Logan Darnell (3-2) took the loss, yielding five runs over three innings of relief. Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision.
The Patriots got the scoring started in the second inning of game two. Christian Marrero plated his first run with Somerset on a two-out RBI double down the left field line. They later added two more runs in the fourth on a Tyler Bortnick RBI single and a run-scoring wild pitch.
Somerset doubled its lead in the fifth on a Carlos Guzman RBI single and a Kyle Roller (3) two-run home run to left field. Long Island responded with a two-run shot from Vega (1) in the bottom of the fifth to trim the deficit to four.
That was as close as Long Island would get in game two, as a Guzman RBI single in the sixth and a Roller (4) solo home run in the seventh extended the lead to its final 8-2 tally.
Duane Below (4-1) earned the win after 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Matt Larkins (2-6) suffered the loss after he allowed six runs on nine hits in five innings.
Somerset continues its four-game series against the Long Island Ducks Wednesday night in Central Islip. Right-handed pitcher Jerome Williams (2-3, 5.40 ERA) takes on Ducks’ righty Alfredo Simon (0-1, 9.00 ERA). First pitch at Bethpage Ballpark is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12th. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
