After dominating the Chesapeake Baysox in their series last week, the Somerset Patriots have moved up in the Eastern League Northeast standings and are now in third. Winning four of the six games has left them with a record of 23-22, and they are on a four-game win streak heading into their series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
After traveling to Chesapeake, the series began on May 19, with the Patriots taking a close 6-5 loss to kick off the week. The game began with Somerset taking an early lead, earning two runs in the first inning. Not long after, Chesapeake answered back and scored once in each of the first, third, and fourth innings, making the score now 3-2 in favor of the Baysox. Turning the tables once again, the Patriots earned another three runs in the later innings, and it seemed like victory was within reach. That was until Chesapeake came back and scored three in the top of the ninth, leaving the Baysox to take the first win of the series.
The next day, both teams took the field ready to light up the scoreboard. The game began with the Patriots tallying three runs in the first, and one in the second. On the other side, after scoring once in the first, the Baysox scored 8 runs in the third and fourth innings, and another three in the fifth and sixth. Ultimately, the Patriots managed only 8 runs, which was no match for the 12 the Baysox scored. Heading into the third game of the series, Chesapeake had an early 2-0 lead over the Patriots.
Entering the third matchup, the Patriots needed to pull out a win in order to get themselves back in the series. The game began with both teams unable to score a run until the Baysox were able to earn one in the third. After a few more scoreless innings, the Patriots clapped back and scored two in the seventh, ultimately closing out the night with a 2-1 win over the Baysox. After earning their first win of the week, the Patriots were officially back in the series.
Now halfway through the series, Chesapeake had a 2-1 lead over Somerset, but that was not a red light for the Patriots. The fourth game started slowly, with only two runs being earned by the Baysox in the first five innings. Yet something changed in the sixth. The Patriots managed to score a whopping five runs in the sixth, and then another two came across in the seventh and eighth. With the Baysox unable to answer back, Somerset’s 8-2 victory had officially tied the series.
Nearing the end of the week, and with both teams having two wins apiece, it was crunch time. It’s safe to say the Patriots did not take this opportunity for granted. On Saturday the 23rd, the Patriots pitchers managed to completely shut out the Baysox, earning four total runs across in the fifth and sixth innings. With no response back from their opponent, the Patriots clutched yet another win and were now leading the series 3-2.
With one last chance to end the series tied 3-3, Chesapeake gave it their all. The Patriots took an early lead, earning two runs in the second inning. After a scoreless third and fourth innings, Somerset earned another two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth. With one last attempt to try and take the game, the Baysox scored twice in the seventh, but it was no match for the Patriots. Somerset ended up taking home another 5-2 win, ending their series victoriously.
Winning this series turned things around for the Patriots. They are now in third place in the Eastern League Northeast, and the Baysox have fallen to sixth. The Somerset Patriots now hold a record of 23-22, and the Portland Sea Dogs are currently 17-27. The Patriots look ahead to take on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats tonight at 6:35 pm EST, so make sure to check it out!
