Bridgewater, NJ-   The Sugar Land Skeeters  (22-22) defeated the Somerset Patriots (27-17) 6-2 at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.

The Patriots did all their scoring early when they took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI triple by Justin Pacchioli and a sacrifice fly by Carlos Guzman.

“He had hit Scott [Kelly] with the first pitch so I knew going into that at bat that I was going to get something that I can hit early,” said Pacchioli. “I was just sitting on something that I knew I can hit and put a good swing on it to make the most of it.”

It was all Skeeters after Somerset’s quick start. The visitors cut the lead in half with a run in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Josh Prince.

Sugar Land jumped in front with a three-run fifth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Hector Olivera (1).

The Skeeters extended the lead with a run in the eighth inning on an RBI double by Derek Miller for a 5-2 advantage.

Kevin Ahrens hit a home run (4) in the top of the ninth inning for the 6-2 final score.

Sugar Land starter Jake Hale (4-1) picked up the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits in 6.1 innings pitched. Patriots starter Jerome Williams (2-2) suffered the loss, allowing earned four runs on eight hits in five innings pitched.

The 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home with a 7:05 pm game on Tuesday night against the Bridgeport Bluefish. The game includes Somerset and Union County Teacher Appreciation Night. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.