Strong pitching gets Somerset back in the win column

It took a total of 128 pitches from David Kubiak, Luis Cruz and Mike Antonini quiet Lancaster’s bats and put the Somerset Patriots back to its winning way with a 3-1 victory.

Kubiak fanned nine consecutive batters and had 10 of his 11 strikeouts midway through the sixth inning. His services would end shortly there after so Cruz and Antonini could finish what their predecessor began.

FINAL | @DavidKubiak24 struck out 11 @gobarnstormers on the way to his second win of the 2019 season for the Patriots. #somersetpatriots pic.twitter.com/1WMgaEMqhM

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) May 11, 2019

After the game, Kubiak discussed the feel of his pitches and the progression of the contest.

“The big thing was going out there the next inning and getting a zero for us. I think that was the turning point of the game and we just rolled from there,” said Kubiak. ” I felt good. My changeup was good, and when I locate that, the curveball works real well also.”

A sold out crows at TD Bank Ballpark  was in for a treat right from the opening pitch as each team would do their scoring in the first inning.

Lancaster got on the board one batter into the game courtesy of a Dan Gamache home run to right field. It was his second of the year and 10th of the season for the Barnstormers.

Not only did the Patriots luck out and avoid inclement weather, Somerset would score the only runs they’d need to defeat Lancaster in the home first inning. Catcher Mike Ohlman drove in Ramon Flores and Rey Navarro. Justin Pacchioli drove his teammate in with a single to right field.

https://twitter.com/SOMPatriots/status/1126992628497756161

Somerset would finish with seven hits on the evening as Kubiak notched his second win of the season and Antonini earned his sixth save.

The Patriots look to take a 2-1 series lead tomorrow with first pitch slated for 7:05 pm.