somersetpatriots.com: News

Patriots Crush Ducks 13-6 To Win Third Straight

05/15/2007 10:03 PM

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY- The Somerset Patriots defeated the Long Island Ducks 13-6 in front of 5,311 fans at Citibank Park on Tuesday evening.

The Patriots struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. Second baseman Danny Garcia lined a one out double to right center, and following a two out walk to third baseman Jeff Nettles, scored on a RBI single to center by designated hitter Josh Pressley. Nettles would later score the second run on a Ducks throwing error following a ground ball to third off the bat of catcher Michel Hernandez.

Somerset made it a 3-0 lead when right fielder Mike Lockwood led off the top of the third inning by crushing a solo home run (3) to right.

The Ducks answered with a run in the bottom of the third inning to cut the lead to 3-1 when catcher Jared Price drew a one out walk, moved to third on a double to right center by shortstop Derek Wathan, and scored on a RBI single to center by second baseman Ray Navarrete.

The Patriots then added a run in the top of the fourth inning to make it 4-1 when left fielder Elliott Ayala reached on fielder's choice to the pitcher and came around to score on a two out RBI triple to right center by centerfielder Anton French.

Long Island again answered with run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-2 when right fielder Kevin Haverbusch led off with a single to center and scored on a one out RBI double to right center by designated hitter Jorge Piedra.

Somerset struck for another run in the top of the fifth inning to increase their lead to 5-2. The Patriots loaded the bases on a lead off double to left center by Lockwood, a one out walk to Pressley and a hit-by-pitch to Hernandez. Lockwood then scored when shortstop Teuris Olivares was hit by a pitch with two outs.

The Ducks again scored a run to cut it to 5-3 when Wathan led off by reaching on a Patriots fielding error and scored later in the inning on fielder's choice off the bat of leftfielder Carl Everett.

The Patriots then plated two runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 7-3 lead. French led off with a single to right and after stealing second, scored on a RBI triple to right center by Lockwood. Nettles followed with an RBI single to center to score Lockwood.

Long Island made it a one run game by scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it 7-6. Wathan led off with a bunt single and moved to second on a two out walk to Everett . Haverbusch then crushed a three run home run to left center to clear the bases.

Somerset put the game away by batting around in the top of the eighth inning and scoring six runs to make it 13-6. The Patriots loaded the bases on a lead off walk to French, a hit-by-pitch to Garcia, and an intentional walk to Nettles. Pressley then ripped a two run double off the centerfield wall to score French and Garcia. After another intentional walk to Hernandez reloaded the bases, first baseman Todd Leathers lined a two run single to right that scored Nettles and pinch runner Patrick Boran. Shortstop Jose Morban then ripped a two run triple to right center that scored Hernandez and Leathers with the final runs.

Patriots starter Andy Van Hekken (2-1) picked up the win giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits over six innings while striking out three and walking two. Ducks starter Pat Ahearne (1-2) suffered the loss giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits while striking two and walking two in 4.2 innings of work.

With the win the Patriots improved to 7-3 on the 2007 season while the Ducks dropped to 5-5.

The Somerset Patriots 10th Anniversary Season presented by Ford will continue on the road until Friday, May 18th when the Patriots return home for a 7:05 pm game against the Long Island Ducks. The game includes a Post Game Fireworks Show presented by St. Peter's University Hospital . Great seats are available by stopping by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com .

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