Somerset takes two of three against New Britain

An offensive explosion compensated for a forgetful game one of Somerset’s opening day doubleheader against the New Britain Bees. The Patriots also took game three of the series to end the weekend with a 2-1 record.

Down three runs after a brutal first half-inning, first-year Patriot Rey Navarro hit his first long ball of the year. He would finish the game 1-for-3.

Somerset let up four runs in the seventh inning and fell in the first contest 8-4.

Former major leaguer Alejandro De Aza hit a single which drove in two runs for the Bees and a pair of wild pitches from Patriots hurler Zech Zinicola put two more on the board.

Somerset produced 14 runs on 13 hits in game two of the doubleheader to avenge their earlier loss.

FINAL: The Patriots offense erupted in the second game of the double header, led by 4 RBI by Ramon Flores and 3 RBI by Will Kengor. pic.twitter.com/WiwSVvi4Fe

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) April 28, 2019

First-year Patriots infielder Will Kengor batted 1-for-2 and recorded three RBIs to help give pitcher David Kubiak, and his team, their first win of the season.

“Coming back in the second game really shows the team chemistry we have already,” said Kengor. “It was a team effort from top to bottom. I think we have a really good lineup one through nine. We might not have as much power as other teams, but we have a bunch of guys that can swing the bat.”

Somerset plated six runs in the home fifth inning to gain a 12-1 advantage.

They also had as many RBIs as they did hits.

The Patriots had double-digit hits again in game three of the weekend series with 10 as they went on the defeat the Bees 4-1.

FINAL: Mike Ohlman's 2 RBI led the way for Somerset in their win over the @NewBritainBees to take the opening series of the 2019 season. #somersetpatriots pic.twitter.com/iMnrkxGql9

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) April 28, 2019

Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez had another strong outing at the plate going 4-for-4 and contributed a run off a Mike Ohlman double in the fifth inning that put the Patriots up 4-0.

The lone New Britain run came in the top of the eighth as Bijan Rademacher smacked his first  home run of the year to right field.

Somerset’s pitching was sensational as Rick Teasley tossed four scoreless innings, Duane Bellow got the win and Mike Antonini earned the save.

The Patriots continue their home stand at TD Bank Ballpark with a four-game series against the Atlantic League’s newest franchise, the High Point Rockers.