The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots defeated the Road Warriors 4-3 in 11 innings to open the season at TD Bank Ballpark before 6,106 fans.
After Justin Trapp singled to lead off the inning, Scott Kelly laced an RBI single to right field to score Trapp all the way from first base for the winning run.
“It was a big play. The steal was on and I took off when I saw the line drive to right field,” said Trapp. “I was just thinking that I would get to third, but I saw [third base coach Glen Barker] waving me on so I turned it on a little bit more and beat the throw.”
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on a home run by Alex Castellanos (1).
The Road Warriors tied up the game in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI fielder’s choice by Gustavo Pierre.
Somerset answered to regain the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI base hit by Trapp, who finished the game 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI.
The Road Warriors rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth inning on an RBI single by Ryde Rodriguez and an error for a 3-2 advantage.
Mike Antonini (1-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings pitched. Paul Rivera-Alicea (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing a run on two hits in 0.1 innings pitched. Somerset’s Cory Riordan allowed a run on five hits in 5.2 innings pitched in a no decision.
The 2018 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford continues at TD Bank Ballpark with a 7:05 pm game against the Road Warriors on Saturday, April 28th. The game features Rally Towels (1st 2,000 Fans) presented by Unity Bank. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
