AtL Somerset Patriots

Patriots Win Game One 11-9

Published on September 26, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Somerset Patriots News Release


CAMDEN , NJ- The Somerset Patriots defeated the Camden Riversharks 11-9 at Campbell 's Field on Friday evening to take a 1-0 lead in the best of five Atlantic League Championship Series.

Somerset struck first with three runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead. Second baseman Teuris Olivares lined a one out double into the left field corner and first baseman Josh Pressley drew a walk. Leftfielder Matt Hagen then crushed a two out three run home run (1) to left center.

The Patriots added three runs in the top of the second inning to make it 6-0. Designated hitter Mike Lockwood ripped a one out double into the right field corner and came around to score when rightfielder Elliott Ayala followed with an RBI double to right center field. After centerfielder Sean Smith drew a walk, Olivares hit an infield single to third to load the bases. Pressley then hit a fielder's choice ground ball to short that plated Ayala and third baseman Brandon Larson followed with a two out RBI single to center that scored Smith.

Somerset plated three more runs in the top of the third inning to take a commanding 9-0 lead. Catcher Jason Belcher led off by smacking a solo home run (1) off the score board in right. Lockwood then lined a one out double into the right field corner and scored on a two out RBI single to left by Smith. After Smith stole second, Olivares drove him in with a RBI single to left.

Camden scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the Patriots' lead to 9-2. Centerfielder L.J. Biernbaum led off with a double to right and after a two out walk to rightfielder Sheldon Fulse, third baseman Mike Thompson hit a two run double down right field line.

The Patriots answered with a run in the top of the fifth inning to make it 10-2 when rightfielder Joe Burke lined a lead off single to center and following a Riversharks' throwing error, came around to score on a two out RBI single to right by Pressley.

The Riversharks rallied for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the Patriots' lead to 10-7. Catcher Josh Arhart led off with a single to left, moved to second on a single to center by shortstop Tim Johnson and scored on a one out RBI single to right by Biernbaum. Designated hitter Ron Davenport followed with an RBI single to right that plated Johnson and then first baseman Tyler Von Schell hit a three run home run (1) to left that cleared the bases.

Camden plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut the Patriots lead to 10-9. Von Schell hit a two out single to left and came around to score when Fulse followed with an RBI double to right center. Thompson then drove Fulse with an RBI single to right.

Somerset added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning to make it 11-9 when Larson crushed a two out solo home run (2) off the score board in right.

Patriots' reliever Jon Hunton (1-0) picked up the win, throwing 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out three and walking none. Riversharks' starter Tony Peguero (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing six runs on five hits while walking two and striking out one in 1.1 innings pitched. Patriots' closer Brian Reith pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 3rd save of the postseason.

The 2008 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue with when the Patriots return to Commerce Bank Ballpark for Game Three of the Championship Series on Sunday evening at 5:05 pm. Great seats are available by stopping by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.

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Atlantic League Stories from September 26, 2008


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