AtL Somerset Patriots

Patriots face Surf In first round of the playoffs

Published on September 28, 2005 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Somerset Patriots News Release


The Somerset Patriots knew they were headed to the playoffs three months before the regular season's end; however, their first-round opponent had to wait until the last few weeks of September to secure their bid.

Last Tuesday, with a 4-3 victory over the Camden Riversharks, the Atlantic City Surf (47-22) clinched the final playoff spot in the Atlantic League's South Division.

In hopes of taking the first two games of the best-of-three series, manager Sparky Lyle will most likely send starters Mark DiFelice (7-4, 3.09) and Shane Heams (5-4, 3.07) to the mound.

During his two appearances against the Surf, DiFelice is 0-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts. Meanwhile, the right-hander, Heams, has made two starts and six relief appearances against the Surf. He has yet to pick up a win, but does have a 2.45 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 18.1 innings.

Should the series go to a third game, left-hander Tim Christman (2-3, 3.68) will take the hill. In two starts against the Surf, he's 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 10 strikeouts.

The two clubs have posted similar offensive numbers in 20 meetings this season -- the Surf edge the Patriots with an 11-9 record. While the Patriots beat out the Surf in batting average (.256/249), doubles (29/27), triples (5/3) and hits (169/167), Atlantic City have more runs (91/89), home runs (22/21), RBI (84/83) and stolen bases (33/7).

Somerset (36-33) received huge contributions from outfielder Ryan Radmanovich and third baseman Jeff Nettles during the matchups. Radmanovich launched six home runs and 11 RBI, while Nettles has knocked out six and posted 13 RBI against their first-round opponent.

For the Surf, outfielder Ozzie Timmons' five home runs - his 31 on the season are three ahead of Radmanovich and good for second best in the league -- and 14 RBI against Patriot pitchers compliment third baseman Dario Delgado, who leads the league with 171 hits, and his 14 RBI and 10 runs scored against Somerset.

Looking at the league's leader board, the Patriots have the best pitching staff with a team ERA of 3.88, 82 points better than the Surf. On the other hand, Atlantic City has the most potent offense with a .285 average, 12 points higher than the Patriots, who are at the bottom.

If the Patriots had won both halves, a wild card team would have been selected as their opponent. This team would need to have had the best record for a club to not win a half.

The Patriots, who missed the playoffs last season, are attempting to win their third championship in team history. In contrast, the Surf were swept out of the playoffs in the first round last season by the Camden Riversharks. They have yet to win another championship since doing so in 1998, the league's first season.

Game One is Wednesday night at The Sandcastle in Atlantic City before both teams travel to Bridgewater's Commerce Bank Ballpark for Patriot home games on Thursday evening and Friday (if necessary).

Check out the Somerset Patriots Statistics

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Atlantic League Stories from September 28, 2005


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