The Somerset Patriots
defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers 6-4 in ten innings at
Clipper Magazine Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Somerset broke a 4-4
tie with two runs in the top of the tenth inning to take
a 6-4 lead when third baseman Jeff Nettles lined a two
out go-ahead two run single to center that
plated centerfielder Sean Smith, who led off with a
walk, and first baseman Josh Pressley, who walked with
one out.
The Patriots struck
first with three runs in the top of the first inning to
take an early 3-0 lead. Rightfielder Mike Rodriguez
ripped a double down the right field line and came
around to score when Pressley followed with an RBI
single to left. Nettles then slugged a two out two run
home run (6) over the right field wall.
The Barnstormers
rallied for three runs in the bottom of the third inning
to tie the game at 3-3 when first baseman Bryan
Sabatella hit a three run home run (2) off the right
field foul pole after a one out double to left center by
catcher Gerald Haran and a walk by rightfielder Ryan
Mulhern.
Lancaster broke the 3-3
tie with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to
take a 4-3 lead when centerfielder Michael Woods drew a
lead off walk, stole second and scored on a two out RBI
double to left center field by Haran.
Somerset tied the game
at 4-4 with a run in the top of the ninth inning when
Nettles lined a lead off double to left center and
scored on a double play ground ball to shortstop off the
bat of leftfielder Elliott Ayala.
Patriots’ reliever
Casey Cahill (3-0) picked up the win, throwing a
scoreless inning allowing no hits while striking out
none and walking one. Barnstormers’ reliever Eddie
Camacho (2-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on
one hit while walking two and striking out none in one
inning pitched. Patriots’ closer Bret Prinz struck out
the side in a 1-2-3 tenth inning for his third save of
the year.
With the win the
Patriots improved to 39-23 on the 2009 season while the
Barnstormers dropped to 29-32.
The 2009 Somerset
Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue on the
road until Thursday, July 2nd when the Patriots return
to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 pm game against the
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The game is Strike Out
Cancer Night presented by Cancer Treatment Centers of
America. For tickets, stop by the Patriots Ticket Office
located at the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit
www.somersetpatriots.com.