The Somerset Patriots have their backs to the proverbial wall after fall to the Erie Seawolves 6-5 in Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship Series.
The Patriots and Seawolves will reconvene at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night at 6:35 in Somerset with the Patriots needing to win to extend the series to a deciding Game 3 on Wednesday night.
The Patriots had enjoyed leads of 2-0 and 5-3 before Erie staged a late comeback with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game, and the eventual game winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
Patriots Catcher Austin Wells enjoyed a fine night at the plate. The Yankees fourth ranked prospect, went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. The runs he drove in came in the top of the third inning on a double that scored Jasson Dominguez and Brandon Lockridge.
The Seawolves would chip away. A solo homer by Parker Meadows cut the Patriots lead in half in the bottom of the fourth.
An inning later, Gage Workman cracked a two-run shot to put the Seawolves in front 3-2.
The Patriots wasted little time in responding. With two runners aboard in the top of the sixth, Jesus Bastidas drove in Austin Wells on a single, knotting up the game at three.
THANK YOU, JESUS🙏
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) September 24, 2022
Jesus Bastidas ties up the game with an RBI single in the sixth inning. pic.twitter.com/NYhzkJDkjO
Tyler Hardman followed Bastidas’ heroics with a two-run double to center that put the Patriots in front 5-3.
Unfortunately for Somerset, Erie quickly responded. A double by Parker Meadows, a single by Danny Serretti and a walk to Michael De La Cruz chased Shawn Semple from the game. In came Matt Minnick, who couldn’t close the door.
A base hit by Gage Workman tied the game as Meadows and Serretti both scored.
Finally, a RBI single by Parker Meadows brought home Jon Rossoff with the go-ahead run. It didn’t help that Dominguez was charged with an error in center field for the Patriots.
The Patriots would not challenge again as relievers Andrew Mango and Gerson Moreno retired the Patriots in order in the final two innings.
Remember to catch Game 2 on Fox Sports New Jersey 93.5, 1450 AM on Tuesday night at 6:35 from TD Bank Ballpark in Somerset.
