Barnstormers Hand Patriots First Loss Of Second Half

Bridgewater, NJ – The Lancaster Barnstormers (2-1, 36-36) defeated the Somerset Patriots (3-1, 41-33) 7-4 at TD Bank Ballpark on Thursday evening.

The Barnstormers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, highlighted by a three-run home run by K.C. Hobson (4).

Patriots cut the lead to 4-3 in the fifth inning. The first run scored on a bases loaded wild pitch that brought Trayvon Robinson home. Mycal Jones later hit a bases clearing triple to bring home two more runs.

“Everyone knew we were going to battle back because that’s what we do. We needed a big hit in that situation with a couple of guys in scoring position and I was able to come through with a big knock to get us back in the game,” said Jones.

Lancaster extended the lead with three runs in the sixth inning on a Kevin Ahrens RBI single, an error, and a wild pitch that made the score 7-3.

An RBI single by Jones in the seventh inning brought the score to the 7-4 final. Jones finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBI.

“I put a little bit of pressure on myself when we’re not going as a team. I felt like if I can get us going here, maybe we can get something started and start putting some runs on the board,” Jones added.

Tanner Peters (4-3) picked up the win, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits in five innings pitched. Rudy Owens (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on ten hits in 5.2 innings pitched. Cory Burns earned his 15^th save of the season, striking out the side in the ninth inning.

“After you come back and almost tie it and get real close, you just can’t give it right back. You need to find ways to put up zeroes or a run at worse to stay right in the ballgame,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie.

The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue on Friday night with a 7:05 pm game against the Lancaster Barnstormers. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.