Bridgewater, NJ-   The Somerset Patriots (7-7, 49-35) defeated the New Britain Bees (6-8, 32-52) 5-2 at TD Bank Ballpark on Friday evening.

Lucas Irvine (7-2) picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on eight hits in seven innings pitched.

“Yovan’s been great at keeping hitters off balance and managing a great game,” said Irvine of starting catcher Yovan Gonzalez. “He’s really been the mastermind right now and we’ve just been on the same page. Obviously great defense behind me tonight helped. It was a full team effort.”

The Bees took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by Michael Baca.

Somerset evened up the score in the bottom of the frame when Mark Minicozzi drew a bases loaded walk.

Ivan Villlaescusa hit a solo home run (1) in the fifth inning to make it a 2-1 game in favor of the Bees.

Two bases loaded walks and an RBI single by Gonzalez in the bottom of the fifth inning gave the Patriots a 4-2 advantage.

The Patriots added a run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a wild pitch that allowed Justin Pacchioli to score for the 5-2 final.

Brandon Shimo (4-3) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on five hits in 1.2 innings pitched.

Dustin Molleken came in the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

The 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home on Saturday night with a 7:05 pm game against the New Britain Bees. The game includes Fireworks presented by Premiere Dance Hillsborough. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.