The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Sugar Land, Texas – The Sugar Land Skeeters (12-11, 42-51) earned their fourth-straight win thanks to three late runs in an 8-5 win over the Somerset Patriots (11-12, 53-39) at Constellation Field Monday night.
The Patriots opened up the scoring in the top of the first on a two-out RBI triple down the right field line from Christian Marrero. The Skeeters immediately responded, however, tying the game a half-inning later on Travis Scott’s RBI single. 
Sugar Land increased their lead to 4-1 in the third on a Joe Benson RBI double, Cole Gillespie RBI single and an Anthony Giansanti sacrifice fly. Derek Miller then pitched-in with an RBI single in the bottom of the third to advance the Skeeters’ lead to 5-1.
Somerset rallied to even the game in the top of the seventh. Four straight hits to begin the inning, including an RBI double from Scott Kelly and a two-run double from Mark Minicozzi, brought the Patriots within a run. Two batters later, Skeeters third baseman Kevin Ahrens booted an Adam Donachie grounder, allowing pinch-runner Justin Trapp to score from third and tie the game.
The tied game was short-lived, as Sugar Land regained a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh when an Alfredo Rodriguez fielding error with two outs allowed a run to score from third. The Skeeters then added two more insurance runs in the eighth on a Giansanti RBI single and a Scott sacrifice fly.
The Patriots loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning and brought the go-ahead runner to the plate, but ultimately fell short in their comeback effort.
Andrew Johnston (1-2) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Dustin Antolin (0-1) allowed one unearned run to suffer the loss. Mark Haynes (8) earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning. Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision.
Somerset continues its six-game series in Sugar Land Tuesday night. Mike Antonini (0-0, 0.00 ERA) takes the mound for the Patriots against Skeeters’ righty Sean Gleason (1-6, 6.48 ERA). First pitch at Constellation Field is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT and 8:05 p.m. ET.
Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 37 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
