Patriots Win First Half Championship With Record Setting Win

Camden, NJ – The Somerset Patriots (49-18) completed the four game sweep of the Camden Riversharks (26-41) by winning 7-3 Thursday evening at Campbell’s Field. With the victory, the Patriots clinched the 1^st Half Liberty Division Championship. This is Somerset’s third straight playoff appearance and 12^th postseason appearance in the franchises 18 years of existence.

With their 49^th win of the half, the Patriots set an Atlantic League record for most wins in a single half. Previously, the 2005 Atlantic City Surf and the 2013 Sugar Land Skeeters each won 48 games in a half.

In the bottom of the second inning designated hitter Evan Crawford hit a RBI groundout to give Camden a 1-0 advantage.

The Patriots evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the third inning as second baseman Paddy Matera committed a fielding error that allowed a run to score.

The Riversharks retook the lead in the bottom of the third inning when right fielder Carlos Guzman laced a RBI double to make the contest 2-1.

Somerset scored three two out runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 4-2 lead. Right fielder Michael Burgess blooped a RBI single while designated hitter Thomas Neal socked a two RBI triple.

Third baseman Greg Hopkins launched a three run home run (6) to give Somerset a 7-2 cushion in the top of the fifth inning.

Carlos Guzman slapped a RBI single to cut the deficit to 7-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Matt Zielinski earned the win (3-1) hurling six innings while scattering two runs. Daniel Herrera suffered the loss (2-2) allowing seven runs on nine hits.

The 2015 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue on the road until the Somerset Patriots return to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Long Island Ducks on Friday, July 10^th. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.