The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Sugar Land, TX – The Somerset Patriots (14-4) squandered a 3-1 lead after five innings as the Sugar Land Skeeters (11-7) scored one run in each of their final three innings to complete the weekend sweep at Constellation Field on Sunday afternoon.
Somerset’s starting pitcher Mickey Storey toed the rubber on an emotional Mother’s Day for him as his mother Karen is battling breast cancer.
“I’m always thinking about my mom,” said Storey, who earned the no decision. “But when I go between the lines it’s time to focus. I’m just glad she was able to watch and listen. She’s a battler and I’ll always battle.”
Storey surrendered a run without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the first inning as Kent Matthes recorded an RBI sacrifice fly to give Sugar Land a brief 1-0 lead.
The Patriots did the same in the third inning as they tied the contest at 1-1 in the third without registering a hit. Eric Farris hit an RBI groundout for his team leading 11th RBI of the year.
Rutgers University product Vinny Zarrillo broke the tie with a two-out, two-run single up the middle to make the score 3-1 in the fourth inning.
“The game is definitely slowing down for me,” said Zarrillo, who has four RBI in three games this year after having five RBI in 23 games last year. “This being my second year in professional baseball, I just feel so much more comfortable and credit great coaches and veterans for supporting me.”
Sugar Land would score three unanswered runs to ultimately win 4-3. The Skeeters took advantage of an error in the sixth inning for an unearned run. In the seventh inning, pinch hitter Delwyn Young socked an RBI single. In the eighth, Travis Scott legged out an RBI fielder’s choice that proved to be the difference.
Zech Zenicola earned the win (1-1) in relief. Brandon Sisk suffered the loss (0-1) in relief. Robbie Weinhardt notched the save (2) for the second time in as many days.
It was the Skeeters first ever sweep against the Patriots in franchise history.
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.
