New Britain, Conn. – Two big innings and a season-high 16 hits carried the Somerset Patriots (29-19) to a 12-7 win over the New Britain Bees (16-31) in Friday night’s series-opener at New Britain Stadium.

Somerset opened the ballgame with a seven-run first inning, started by a Carlos Guzman RBI single. Kyle Roller then added a two-out RBI single before another run scored on an error from Bees’ right-fielder Jamar Walton. After that, two-out RBI base hits from Aharon Eggleston, Greg Golson and a two-run single from Scott Kelly topped off the scoring in the frame. 

New Britain cut into the Patriots lead on a James Skelton sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 3rd. The Bees later made it a three-run difference on Conor Bierfeldt’s (10) two-run home run in the sixth and Craig Maddox’s RBI single in the seventh.

The Patriots added five insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning on a Roller bases-loaded walk, sacrifice flies from Adam Donachie and Tyler Bortnick, and a Golson two-run double. The Bees responded with three runs in the bottom of the ninth – including a two-run Jon Griffin base hit – but their comeback effort ended there.

Golson finished the day 3-5 with a double, triple, run scored and three RBI.

“[Golson] looks like he is getting more and more comfortable at the plate, which is great,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “It was really all about getting his eyes back to baseball, and it is coming through now. He is hitting to all parts of the field and is starting to come through with some big hits for us.”

Lucas Irvine (3-1) earned the win after he allowed three runs on six hits over six innings. Jonathan Pettibone took the loss, yielding seven runs (one earned) on seven hits in one inning of work.

Somerset continues its three-game series with the New Britain Bees Saturday evening. Right-hander Jerome Williams (2-2, 6.10 ERA) takes the mound for the Patriots against Bees’ righty Kyle Simon (2-3, 5.21 ERA). First pitch at New Britain Stadium is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12^th. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

 About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

 For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.