Baseball Patriots Power Their Way To 5-3 Game 1 Victory Over The Ducks by Somerset Patriots September 24, 2015 Central Islip, NY- The Somerset Patriots, powered by right fielder Michael Burgess and a strong start by Roy Merritt, defeated the Long Island Ducks 5-3 in Game 1 of the Liberty Division Championship Series at Bethpage Ballpark. Burgess led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance, including a home run, a triple and three RBI. He would fall a double short of the cycle. “It’s key to get game one, especially at their place. We just need to come back tomorrow, do the same thing and take it home,” Burgess said. The Patriots took an early lead in the first inning when Burgess tripled to bring home left fielder Aharon Eggleston, who had singled earlier in the frame. The Ducks tied up the game in the second on an error by second baseman Greg Hopkins that allowed Elmer Reyes to reach base safely and Dan Lyons to score. Long Island took the lead on an RBI single by Sean Burroughs in the bottom of the third. Merritt then got out of a bases-loaded jam with a strikeout of Mike Blanke to hold the Ducks to a 2-1 lead. Merritt put up zeroes for the next three innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. “It took me a little while to get it going, but once I got locked in around the third inning, I was able to just keep it going,” said Merritt. A solo home run by Matt Fields (1) tied up the game 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning. Somerset jumped out in front the next inning after an RBI single by Thomas Neal and a two-run blast by Burgess (1) gave Somerset a 5-2 advantage. “That’s what (Matt Fields and Michael Burgess) are supposed to do. They are supposed to drive in runs, leave the ballpark, and both had a bunch of good swings tonight. It’s going to be tough to pitch to those guys. We just need to do a little better with situation hitting and adding as we go, but I’ll take it,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. The Ducks third run came on a wild pitch by reliever Buddy Boshers in the seventh to provide the 5-3 final score. Merritt (1-0) picked up the win, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits in six innings pitched. John Brownell (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings pitched. Jon Hunton picked up the save (1) for Somerset. The 2015 Liberty Division Championship Series will continue at Bethpage Ballpark for Game 2 at 6:35 pm on Thursday. Game 3 will take place at TD Bank Ballpark on Friday, September 25th at 7:05 pm. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Post Views: 1,127 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Somerset Patriots Latest posts by Somerset Patriots (see all) Somerset Patriots Announce Added Programming On Radio Partner 1450 WCTC-AM - May 7, 2020 Somerset Patriots Bring Back All-Star RHP David Kubiak - April 7, 2020 Somerset Patriots Land Eight-Year Major Leaguer Vance Worley - March 27, 2020 Somerset Patriots Acquire Major League LHP Pat Dean - March 10, 2020 Related Topics2015 SeasonAharon EgglestonAtlantic LeagueAtlantic League PlayoffsBuddy BoshersGreg HopkinsJon HuntonLiberty Division SeriesMatt FieldsMichael BurgessRoy MerrittSomerset PatriotsThomas Neal Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Women in Sports: Podcast Host, New York Riptide Sideline Reporter, Dani Wexelman by Luke Porco | posted on March 3, 2020 From Paramus High School to CBS Sports, Spero Dedes is making waves in sports broadcasting by Sunil Sunder Raj | posted on October 27, 2020 Lochte, Dressel and Ledecky all Chasing Gold at 2021 Tokyo Olympics by Anthony Paradiso | posted on April 18, 2021 “Overtime” l Ep. 28: TopSpin Celeb-Athlete Tournament – Dec. 6, 2018 by Stefany Romero | posted on December 19, 2018 More in Baseball You Know I’m Right, Episode 112: New York Jets’ Insider Brian Costello (Audio/Video) On the 112th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video) On the 109th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 108: WFAN’s Sweeny Murti (Audio/Video) On the 108th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... You Know I’m Right, Episode 107: New York Post’s Columnist Mike Vaccaro (Audio/Video) On the 107th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... Seton Hall Alumnus and 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee Craig Biggio Shows Praise for Yogi Berra New York Mets Struggling at Citi Field for the First Time this Season