Sea Dogs Fall on Opening Day
Published on April 3, 2026 under Eastern League (EL)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Somerset, New Jersey - The Portland Sea Dogs (0-1) fell to the Somerset Patriots (1-0) on Friday night, 18-2. Top hitting prospect Franklin Arias recorded Portland's only multi-hit game with a pair of singles.
Max Ferguson blasted Portland's first homer of the season in the top of the fourth inning, a solo shot with two outs. The Sea Dogs' other run came in the third inning after Tyler McDonough drew a one out walk and Arias drove him home with an RBI single.
The Patriots plated five runs in the first inning off three home runs to jump out to a 5-0 lead after the first inning. George Lombard Jr. led off the inning with a homer then followed by a solo home run by Garrett Martin and a three-run blast off the bat of Tyler Hardman.
In the second inning, Lombard Jr. led off with a single then scored on an RBI single by Marco Luciano. Coby Morales brought home Luciano with a sacrifice fly then scored on an RBI single by Nick Torres.
Somerset brought home three more runs in the third inning. After a leadoff walk by Miguel Palma and double by Lombard Jr., they were able to score on a two-run double by Jace Avina. A two-run home run by Coby Morales extended their lead, 12-1.
The Patriots final damage was done in the ninth inning courtesy of a grand slam by Morales and the Sea Dogs fell, 18-2.
RHP Ben Hess (1-0, 3.60 ERA) earned the win tossing 5.0 innings allowing two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out nine. RHP Blake Wehunt (0-1, 81.00 ERA) was given the loss recording one out allowing three runs on two hits while walking one.
The Sea Dogs and Patriots meet again tomorrow, Saturday April 4th at 5:05pm at TD Bank Ballpark. RHP John Holobetz will make his first start of the season for Portland while LHP Kyle Carr will start for Somerset.
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