Squirrels Strike Early to Beat Patriots
EL Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Strike Early to Beat Patriots

Published on August 1, 2026 under Eastern League (EL)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - The Richmond Flying Squirrels jumped to an early lead and beat the Somerset Patriots, 10-4, on Saturday night at TD Bank Ballpark.

The Flying Squirrels (59-40, 16-15 second half) scored 10-or-more runs for the 11th time this season, tied for the most double-digit scoring games in a season in franchise history, and picked up their second win of the series against the Patriots (53-48, 16-16).

Richmond plated eight runs in the top of the first inning against Somerset starter Chase Hampton (Loss, 0-4). Trevor Cohen led off with a double and scored on a double by Dayson Croes to open the game.

Later in the first, Ty Hanchey worked a bases-loaded walk to score Croes. Jack Payton followed with a grand slam off the left-field foul pole, the first grand slam this season for the Flying Squirrels, opening a 6-0 lead.

Cohen capped the frame with a two-run homer, his first at Double-A. He became the first Richmond player with multiple extra-base hits in the same inning this year. He collected multiple hits for the sixth consecutive game. Since last Sunday, Cohen is batting .500 (14-for-28) with a homer, three doubles, four RBIs, eight runs scored and eight stolen bases.

In the top of the second, Hanchey drove in Charlie Szykowny with a fielder's choice to open a 9-0 Flying Squirrels lead.

Somerset closed the score to 9-2 in the bottom of the second. Luis Durango was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Connor McGinnis brought a run with an infield single.

Maui Ahina hit an RBI single in the top of the fourth to stretch the Richmond lead to 10-2. The Patriots answered with a solo homer by Manuel Palencia in the bottom of the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Palencia hit an RBI single to cut the score to 10-4.

Will Bednar (Win, 3-0) entered in the fourth inning and stranded two runners on base with a pair of strikeouts. He worked three scoreless innings, tied for his longest outing of the season.

Tyler Vogel stranded two runners in scoring position for a scoreless eighth. Cristian Alvarado threw a 1-2-3 ninth and closed the game with a strikeout.

The series concludes on Sunday night. Right-hander Logan Martin (2-0, 4.46) will start for Richmond opposed by Somerset right-hander Ben Hess (3-2, 3.94). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. at TD Bank Ballpark.

The Flying Squirrels return home for a six-game series against the Reading Fightin Phils next Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office. Ticket packages for the Flying Squirrels' home playoff games at CarMax Park on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Playoffs.

-SQUIRRELS-

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from August 1, 2026


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.

OurSports Central