
Somerset Patriots Playoff Press Newsletter: Liberty Division Series
September 21, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Somerset Patriots News Release

Somerset Patriots Playoff Press Newsletter: Liberty Division Series Game 1 Preview
(Somerset Patriots)
How The Teams Got Here
The Somerset Patriots (77-63) clinched their playoff berth by winning the Liberty Division Second Half Championship with a 39-31 record. For the third-straight season, the Somerset Patriots had the best- overall record in the league and will be making their fourth-straight playoff appearance under manager Brett Jodie.
Somerset was second in ERA (3.90), led the league in fielding (.981), and finished third in batting (.272). The team topped the league in runs scored (694), RBI (641), and stolen bases (166). The pitching staff also led the league in strikeouts (1,080) and had the fewest errors (99) for the season.
After a league record start of 13-0, the Somerset Patriots fell short in the first half of the season by just two games. From August 15th on, the Somerset Patriots were either in first place or within 0.5 game of the second half Liberty Division lead.
The Somerset Patriots are looking to defend their Atlantic League Championship title from 2015.
The Long Island Ducks (72-68) clinched a spot in the postseason by winning the Liberty Division First Half Championship with a 40-30 record. The Ducks are led by fifth-year manager Kevin Baez and they are making their second consecutive trip to the post-season. The Ducks were a wild card in 2015 and were eliminated in the first round in a five-game series by Somerset.
The Ducks led the league in ERA (3.87), finished fourth in batting (.270), and were tied for third in fielding (.978). Long Island finished second in strikeouts (1,076).
Having already clinched a playoff spot with the first half win, Long Island finished the second half 32-38, but played well in the final weeks of the season.
Liberty Division Game 1 Pitching Match Up At TD Bank Ballpark
Will Oliver
RHP
Record: 7-2
ERA: 3.30
SO: 72
IP: 98.0
John Brownell
RHP
Record: 10-8
ERA: 3.30
SO: 175
IP: 169.0
Players To Watch This Series
David Vidal
3B
Finished the season with a .320 batting average, 101 hits, 26 home runs, and 62 RBI in 85 games played. The 26 home runs was second in the league.
Fehlandt Lentini
OF
Played in all 140 games this season and finished with a .313 batting average, 108 runs scored, 179 hits, and 75 RBI.
Bryan LaHair
1B
.279 average with 133 hits and led the team with 86 RBI, second in the league. He also hit 10 home runs and had a knack for the game winning hit.
Delta Cleary Jr.
OF
Finished the season with a team best .321 batting average and had 130 hits, 51 runs, and 52 RBI in 108 games played.
Aharon Eggleston
OF
The fourth year Somerset Patriot finished with a .310 batting average, 73 runs scored,142 hits, and 55 RBI in another All-Star campaign.
Ruben Gotay
INF
Hit .275, scored 41 times, had 100 hits, 7 home runs, and 63 RBI in 363 at bats over 107 games played. He also led the team in walks.
Eric Farris
2B
Led the team with 148 hits to go along with a .301 batting average, 74 runs scored, 21 doubles, 8 home runs, and 66 RBI in a team high 123 games.
Cody Puckett
INF
Finished the season with a .272 batting average over 119 games where he had 120 hits, 9 home runs, and 72 RBI (2nd on the team).
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2016 Playoff Schedule
Liberty Division Series:
Game 1: Wednesday, September 21st Long Island Ducks at Somerset Patriots- TD Bank Ballpark at 7:05 pm
Game 2: Thursday, September 22nd Long Island Ducks at Somerset Patriots- TD Bank Ballpark at 7:05 pm
Game 3: Friday, September 23rd Somerset Patriots at Long Island Ducks at 6:35 pm
Game 4: Saturday, September 24th Somerset Patriots at Long Island Ducks at 6:35 pm (If Necessary)
Game 5: Sunday, September 25th Somerset Patriots at Long Island Ducks at 5:05 pm (If Necessary)
*If The Somerset Patriots Advance To Championship Series:
Atlantic League Championship Series:
Game 1: Wednesday, September 28th Somerset Patriots at York/Sugar Land
Game 2: Thursday, September 29th Somerset Patriots at York/Sugar Land
Game 3: Friday, September 30th York/Sugar Land at Somerset Patriots at 7:05 pm
Game 4: Saturday, October 1st York/Sugar Land at Somerset Patriots at 7:05 pm (If Necessary)
Game 5: Sunday, October 2nd York/Sugar Land at Somerset Patriots at 1:05 pm (If Necessary)
Teams' Playoff History
6 Atlantic League Championships:
2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2015
10 Division Championships:
1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015
17 Half Championships:
1999, 2000 (2x), 2001 (2x), 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 (2x), 2010, 2014 (2x), 2015 (2x), 2016
Wild Card: 2013
Playoff Records:
Overall: 41-30
Division Series: 21-11
Championship Series: 21-19
Elimination Games:11-6
3 Atlantic League Championship:
2004, 2012, 2013
4 Division Championships:
2006, 2011, 2012, 2013
11 Half Championships:
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 (2x), 2012, 2013, 2016
Wild Card: 2015
Playoff Records:
Overall: 26-25
Division Series: 16-18
Championship Series: 10-7
Elimination Games: 8-7
Images from this story
![]() Somerset Patriots Playoff Press Newsletter: Liberty Division Series Game 1 Preview |
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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