The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ – Matt Fields hit a game-winning walk off home run (4) in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Somerset Patriots (25-18) to a 2-1 win over the Bridgeport Bluefish (14-28). The home run capped off a beautiful night for baseball before a season high 7,322 fans at TD Bank Ballpark on Saturday night.
“I don’t think words can express what I felt at that moment,” said Fields after his first career walk off. “I’m speechless because the last time I switch hit was 2011 and I just started doing it again two days ago. Things are going smooth and just clicking.”
The Bluefish struck first with a run in the third inning on an RBI single by Wellington Dotel. It was the only blemish on a stellar performance by recently signed starting pitcher Shaun Garceau. He would finish the game scattering seven hits over eight innings in a no decision.
“It felt good. In the beginning I was just trying to find out what was working and get in my game plan. My fastball was spotting up real good today, so we kept going with it,” said Garceau after his first home start of the season.
The Patriots tied up the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI single by Scott Kelly.
Patriots reliever Jeremy McBryde (3-0) picked up the win with a scoreless ninth inning and two strikeouts. Taylor Thompson (3-2) took the loss after giving up the walk off shot to Fields.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday, June 5th for a 1:05 pm game against the Bridgeport Bluefish. The game includes T-Shirts (1st 2,000) presented by Flemington Department Store. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.
