Below Shines As Patriots Top Barnstormers 7-3

Lancaster, Penn. – The Somerset Patriots (28-20) came from behind Tuesday night to defeat the Lancaster Barnstormers (31-16) 7-3 at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Lancaster jumped ahead in the bottom of the first inning on a Blake Gailen (11) two-run home run to right field. That lead held until Somerset put four runs on the board in the top of the fifth inning. 

The Patriots brought nine batters to the plate in the inning, including five hits and two walks. An RBI single from Julio Borbon, a two-run double from Endy Chavez and a run-scoring wild pitch highlighted the inning and provided a 4-2 lead.

As Duane Below held the Barnstormers lineup in check, Somerset added an insurance run in the top of the eighth on a Justin Pacchioli RBI fielder’s choice. The Patriots added two more in the top of the ninth on a Kyle Roller (3) mammoth blast of a two-run home run.

The Barnstormers got a run back when Vladimir Frias was hit by a pitch with the bases-loaded, but the comeback ended there.

Below (3-2) earned the win after he allowed just two runs on four hits over seven innings of work. Below retired 21 of the final 23 batters he faced.

“He got a lot stronger as the game progressed,” said Somerset Patriots pitching coach / director of baseball operations Jon Hunton. “It took him a little bit to get settled in, but once he did, he was cruising and it was big for us.”

Steve Johnson (3-2) yielded four runs on six hits and five walks over 4.1 innings to take the loss. Ryan Kelly (9) earned the save after entering with one out in the ninth inning and stranding the bases loaded.

The Patriots and Barnstormers conclude their three-game series Wednesday night. David Kubiak (2-0, 1.58 ERA) takes the mound for Somerset against Lancaster southpaw Tommy Shirley (3-1, 6.02 ERA). First pitch at Clipper Magazine Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

The 2018 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues on Friday, June 22nd when the Patriots return to TD Bank Ballpark to take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at 7:05 pm. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com

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