Bridgewater, NJ-   The Somerset Patriots (39-24) defeated the New Britain Bees (25-38) 12-3 at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.

The Patriots powered their way in front in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run home run by Kyle Roller (5) and a solo shot by Christian Marrero, his first as a Patriot. Chris Grayson added a sacrifice fly to make the score 4-0.

 “I’m just trying to stay aggressive in all my at bats,” said Marrero. “I was looking for something in my zone. I got something I was looking for and put a good barrel on it.”

The Bees got on the board in the top of the third inning on a fielder’s choice and error to cut the lead to 4-1.

Marrero answered for the Patriots with a three-run blast (2), his second of the game, to make the score 7-1. He finished 2-for-3 with three runs and five RBI.

 “Right now everything is clicking on both sides for our team. It’s a lot of fun right now and that’s when great things happen,” Marrero added.

Michael Crouse’s RBI single in the fourth inning cut the lead to 7-2.

Somerset extended their advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI single by Carlos Guzman and furthered the damage with a four run seventh inning. Alfredo Rodriguez had an RBI single, Grayson hit an RBI double, and Olmo Rosario added an RBI double that made the score 12-2.

New Britain got a run in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI single by Crouse for the 12-3 final.

Will Oliver (3-0) picked up the win, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings pitched. Brian Dupra (3-5) suffered the loss, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in five innings pitched.

The 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home on Monday, June 26^th with a 7:05 pm game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The game features Bark In The Park Night presented by FOSRAS.  For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.