Ducks Eliminate Patriots From Playoffs With 5-1 Win

Bridgewater, NJ – The Long Island Ducks (3-2, 72-68) defeated the Somerset Patriots (2-3, 77-63) 5-1 in a decisive Game 5 of the Liberty Division Series at Bethpage Ballpark on Sunday evening to advance to the Atlantic League Championship Series against the Sugar Land Skeeters.

The Ducks jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After what seemed like a double play on Dan Lyon’s first at bat was ruled a catcher’s interference on Rob Kral, Lew Ford doubled home both runs. Ruben Gotay and Tyler Colvin then added RBI singles.

“I was just pumped about the double play and then I saw [umpire Freddie DeJesus] run out there and call it. I was looking for Robbie’s reaction and he didn’t have one so right then I knew it must have happened,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie.

Long Island plated another run in the second inning on starting pitcher Will Oliver’s third wild pitch of the game.

Somerset’s offense was held hitless until the fifth inning when Bryan LaHair singled and later came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Eric Farris that made the score 5-1. It was the Patriots’ first run in 22 consecutive innings in the series.

Oliver (0-1) settled down after the second inning to retire 13 in-a-row through the seventh inning. He allowed five runs (two earned) on five hits in seven innings pitched for the loss.

John Brownell (1-0) went 5.2 innings on three-days rest and allowed a run on three hits to earn the win.

“Each game is unique. We did the best we could at home to put ourselves in a good position for here. We know these games are going to be tough. You go after each game and put a good guy on the hill to have a chance to win that game. It just comes down to a bounce, a hit, or a pitch. There just wasn’t many that went our way at their place,” Jodie added.

The 2016 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford has concluded with the loss on Sunday evening. Information about the 2017 season will be coming soon. Please visit www.somersetpatriots.com or download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store to keep up to date with all things Somerset Patriots.