The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Sugar Land, TX – The Somerset Patriots (14-3) suffered their first series loss of the year as the Sugar Land Skeeters (10-7) defeated them 4-1 Saturday evening at Constellation Field.
Patriots’ starting pitcher Matt Bywater didn’t allow a hit through three innings, but labored in the fourth inning, surrendering three of his four runs in that frame. Bywater walked a season-high five batters and three of those walks came around to score.
“I wasn’t able to throw as many strikes as I would have liked.” said Bywater who threw 44 strikes and 39 balls. “I really beat myself this outing. I kept giving free passes and a good club will take advantage of that.”
Andy LaRoche was plunked in the chest with the bases loaded to push across the Skeeters initial run in the third inning then the following hitter, Ricky Hague, roped a two RBI single to make the score 3-0.
In the ensuing half inning, Aharon Eggleston recorded an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 3-1.
Sugar Land tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Kent Matthes ripped an RBI single to make the score 4-1.
Parker Frazer earned the win (3-0) with 6.0 innings pitched, while yielding just one run on five hits. Bywater suffered the loss (0-1) in 4.1 innings of work. Robbie Weinhardt earned his first save of the year tossing a scoreless ninth inning.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues on the road until Friday, May 13th when the team returns to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Lancaster Barnstormers. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
