The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Long Island Ducks defeated the Somerset Patriots 6-3 before 5,105 fans at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday afternoon to avoid the three game sweep.
Somerset scored first on an error that allowed Nate Spears to cross the plate in the first inning.
The Ducks tied up the game in the top of the third on a sacrifice fly by Joash Brodin.
Long Island took the lead with a run in the top of the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Strieby that made the score 2-1.
The Ducks added to the lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI double by Brodin for a 3-1 advantage.
Long Island scored again in the top of the seventh on a throwing error that allowed Cody Puckett to score for a 4-1 lead.
The Patriots rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double by Robbie Widlansky and an RBI groundout by Damaso Espino to cut the lead to 4-3.
The Ducks answered with two more runs in the top of the eighth inning on a two-run single by Puckett for the 6-3 final.
Ducks starter Bobby Blevins (1-0) picked up the win, allowing three runs-two earned- on a hit in six innings pitched. Patriots starter Zach Kroenke (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings pitched. Leo Rosales earned the save (1) with a scoreless ninth inning pitched.
The 2014 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue at home on Tuesday night with a 7:05 pm game against the Camden Riversharks. For tickets, call (908) 252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
