The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Lancaster, PA – The Somerset Patriots (10-7, 48-39) scored five runs in the seventh inning to propel them to a three-game sweep of the Lancaster Barnstomers (6-11, 40-46) Sunday afternoon at Clipper Magazine Stadium. Somerset notched its 27th come from behind win erasing a 3-1 hole to win 6-4. Of their last 12 wins, 10 have been come from behind victories. Somerset finished 2016 9-1 at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
“If you sweep a series it means you get different heroes each night and I thought that’s what happened Friday through Sunday,” Somerset manager Brett Jodie said. “We’ve made some roster tweaks and I feel we have a steady lineup and even a solid bench where we can rest guys and keep bodies fresh.”
Bryan LaHair belted an RBI single in the top of the third inning to give Somerset an early 1-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Mike McDade crushed a three-run home run (10) to lift the Barnstormers in front 3-1.
The Patriots mounted their rally in the top of the seventh inning. Scott Kelly would coax a leadoff walk. After a fielder’s choice by Luis Mateo, Mycal Jones ripped a single. Vinny Zarrillo would then lay down a bunt and the pitcher Terry Doyle committed a throwing error to first to plate a run. With Somerset trailing by one run and men on the corners, LaHair pounded a go ahead two RBI double. David Vidal would follow with an RBI double of his own. The final run of the inning occurred on Vidal crossing home on catcher Charlie Cutler’s fielding error.
With the score 6-3, Sean Halton hammered a home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to make the score 6-4 which would be the final.
Rudy Owens (2-2) earned the win. 81 of his 110 pitches went for strikes. The southpaw hurled 7.0 innings and struck out seven while only yielding three runs.
“My best pitch was my cutter and fastball,” Owens said commenting on his performance. “It was nice facing a team for the second time so I know some tendencies and can have an approach.”
Doyle (4-5) suffered the loss. He gave up three runs (two earned) in 6.1 innings of work. Jon Hunton notched his 16th straight save and 23rd of the season.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues on the road until Thursday, July 28th when team returns to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Bridgeport Bluefish. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.
