Patriots Walk Off With Sweep And Sixth Straight Win

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots (6-0, 41-28) defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers (1-5, 39-30) 3-2 in walk-off fashion to complete the sweep at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday evening.

The game was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, when catcher Yovan Gonzalez stepped up to the plate with two outs and the winning run at third base. Gonzalez drilled a ball into the gap in right center field, scoring pinch-runner Justin Pacchioli, and commencing the gatorade shower on the field.

“So far this season, with men in scoring position, I really haven’t done my job. I’ve been a little off,” said Gonzalez. “I wasn’t trying to do too much with the ball. [Huascar Brazoban] was throwing triple digits, and he threw me a fastball right down the middle. I was able to put the barrel on the ball. He provided the power, so I just put my barrel on it and I was glad I could put it in the gap.”

The win completes the sweep of the Barnstormers, and sees Somerset run their season-high win streak to six games to start the second half.

Somerset began the scoring in the first inning, when Alfredo Rodriguez ripped an RBI double to score Ramon Flores.

The Patriots added another in the fifth inning, when Gonzalez came through with his first RBI single of the ballgame.

However, Lancaster refused to give up, scoring a run in the seventh inning on a Trayvon Robinson RBI double. Lancaster then tied the game at two apiece in the top of the ninth, when Ryan Casteel came through with an RBI single.

Cory Riordan turned in a fine performance on the mound for the Patriots, lasting seven innings, while only allowing a run with five strikeouts in a no-decision.

Chase Huchingson (3-0) picked up the win for the Patriots, allowing a run on three hits in an inning pitched.

Brazoban (1-1) took the loss, giving up his first earned run of the season (0.51 ERA) in the process.

The 2018 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue on the road until Monday, July 23rd when the Patriots return to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 pm game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The game includes Bark In The Park Night. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.