The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Camden, NJ – The Somerset Patriots (49-18) completed the four game sweep of the Camden Riversharks (26-41) by winning 7-3 Thursday evening at Campbell’s Field. With the victory, the Patriots clinched the 1st Half Liberty Division Championship. This is Somerset’s third straight playoff appearance and 12th postseason appearance in the franchises 18 years of existence.
With their 49th win of the half, the Patriots set an Atlantic League record for most wins in a single half. Previously, the 2005 Atlantic City Surf and the 2013 Sugar Land Skeeters each won 48 games in a half.
In the bottom of the second inning designated hitter Evan Crawford hit a RBI groundout to give Camden a 1-0 advantage.
The Patriots evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the third inning as second baseman Paddy Matera committed a fielding error that allowed a run to score.
The Riversharks retook the lead in the bottom of the third inning when right fielder Carlos Guzman laced a RBI double to make the contest 2-1.
Somerset scored three two out runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 4-2 lead. Right fielder Michael Burgess blooped a RBI single while designated hitter Thomas Neal socked a two RBI triple.
Third baseman Greg Hopkins launched a three run home run (6) to give Somerset a 7-2 cushion in the top of the fifth inning.
Carlos Guzman slapped a RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Matt Zielinski earned the win (3-1) hurling six innings while scattering two runs. Daniel Herrera suffered the loss (2-2) allowing seven runs on nine hits.
The 2015 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue on the road until the Somerset Patriots return to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Long Island Ducks on Friday, July 10th. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
