The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Central Islip, NY – The Long Island Ducks (18-14, 58-44) had been 48-1 when leading after seven innings, but the Somerset Patriots (17-17, 54-49) erased a 4-3 deficit in the eighth inning by scoring four runs to win 7-4 Thursday evening at Bethpage Ballpark. The teams split the four game midweek series and finished 10-10 against each other in 2016.
“This was a tremendous way to end a really long road trip,” said Jeremy Bleich as Somerset finished its road trip 4-3. “For us to show that kind of grit shows a lot of character. I know we are all looking forward to getting back to our fans and our park this next week.”
For the seventh time in the last eight games the Patriots scored in the first inning. Eric Farris ripped an RBI single and Bryan LaHair tallied an RBI sacrifice fly.
Long Island would score the next four runs in the game to lead 4-2 after three innings. Delta Cleary Jr. hit an RBI ground out and Cody Puckett socked an RBI single in the first inning. In the third inning Puckett registered an RBI fielder’s choice and Ruben Gotay looped an RBI single.
Scott Kelly delivered an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning to cut the deficit in half.
Down a run heading into the eighth inning with one out, Vinny Zarrillo and Aharon Eggleston each worked walks. Farris then recorded a game tying RBI single. Following a David Vidal walk, LaHair picked up his team leading 62nd RBI with a sacrifice fly to give the Patriots a 5-4 advantage. Kyle Roller, who finished the series with five RBI, provided insurance with a two-run double to make the score 7-4, which would be the final.
Will Oliver (3-2) earned the win, yielding four runs in 7.0 innings of work. He tied a season-high with nine strike outs. Danny Burawa (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs in 0.1 innings. Jon Hunton notched his second straight save (28) by tossing the final frame. Hunton is 21-for-22 in save opportunities since May 21st.
The Patriots finished the road trip, which started in Sugar Land and culminated in Long Island, with 50 runs, 79 hits, and 34 walks drawn.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues tomorrow night when team returns to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.
