Lancaster, PA – Returning to Lancaster County for the first time since his college pitching days, starting pitcher Darin Gorski earned the win as the Somerset Patriots topped the Lancaster Barnstormers 6-2 Friday evening at Clipper Magazine Stadium. The Patriots rattled off their ninth straight win to start the season as they led wire to wire.
“It definitely was special,” said Gorksi who grew up 13 miles away from tonight’s venue. “Having lots of friends and family here is encouraging. I mixed my pitches well and had that attacking mentality.” The lanky lefty (1-0) hurled 5.0 innings, surrendered two runs and struck out five while walking none in the winning effort.
Somerset put up three runs in the top of the third inning when catcher Yovan Gonzalez tallied an RBI single and designated hitter Aharon Eggleston launched a two-run home run (2) to right field.
“I feel good,” said the two-time Atlantic League All-Star Eggleston. “I’m just seeing good pitches and putting a good swing on it.”
Lancaster cut the deficit to 3-2 in the ensuing half inning registering three straight doubles with two outs as right fielder Caleb Gindl and third baseman Josh Bell picked up RBI.
The Patriots tacked on a run in the fourth via another Gonzalez RBI hit, another in the fifth as first baseman Matt Fields ripped an RBI single and one more in the ninth as Eggleston capped a strong offensive night with his third RBI. He laced a run scoring single into right field as he is now 9-for-20 to start the year.
“We are just having fun,” the affable veteran Eggleston remarked. “When you’re with a bunch of guys who you want to have fun with it makes things easy. We know if the person in front of us doesn’t do it then the guy behind them will.”
Brandon Bixler (0-1) sustained the loss in the emergency start tossing 2.1 innings, scattering three runs on five hits.
Reliever Jeremy McBryde struck out the side in the ninth inning to seal the victory.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues on the road in Lancaster until Tuesday, May 3rd when the Patriots return 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.