Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots defeated the Long Island Ducks 4-2 before 5,416 fans at Commerce Bank Ballpark on Friday night.
The Ducks took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Catcher Jamie Pogue walked and moved to second on an error. Shortstop Derek Wathan reached on a fielder’s choice and both runners would score on first baseman P.J. Rose’s two-run double.
Somerset came back and grabbed a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Shortstop Jose Morban and left fielder Elliott Ayala singled, and both came home on right fielder Mike Lockwood’s three-run home run (4).
The Patriots added another run to the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Shortstop Jose Morban doubled and later scored on an RBI groundout by second baseman Danny Garcia to make the score 4-2.
Patriots starting pitcher Brian Reith (2-1) picked up the win, allowing two unearned runs on four hits and four strikeouts in six innings pitched. Ducks reliever Mark Watson (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing an earned run on one hit in 0.2 innings pitched. R.D. Spiehs earned his first save of the season for the Patriots with a scoreless ninth inning pitched.
The Somerset Patriots 10th Anniversary Season presented by Ford will continue at home with a 7:05 pm game on Saturday night against the Long Island Ducks. Saturday’s game includes 10th Anniversary T-Shirts for the first 2,000 fans in attendance courtesy of Middlesex County College. 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.
