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Somerset Patriots Swept to Seasons End in Division Series

Somerset Patriots, Baseball, Featured, Professional

September 22, 2023

Bridgewater, NJ -- The Somerset Patriots were left watching from the dugout as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies celebrated a two-game sweep at TD Bank Ballpark. This would be the first time the Patriots have lost in the Eastern League Division Series. Somerset ended their season 84-53, the top record in all of Double-A after a magnificent season. The Rumble Ponies will head to the Eastern League Championship Series for the first time since 2014.

Game 1 (9/20): L 6-2

The Patriots had a rough start to the series against the Binghamton, losing 9-2 on Tuesday. Starting pitcher Blane Abeyta gave up four runs in 3.1 innings and Anthony Munoz and Zach Messinger gave up two runs and three runs, respectively out of the bullpen. The Patriots offense was provided by solo shots from Elijah Dunham and Trey Sweeney.

Sweeney also hit a double and had a great game going 2 for 4.

🍬 TREY SWEENEY HOMER 🍬 1-0 Patriots top 3rd #SomersetPatriots pic.twitter.com/uJ08Ph7DEk

— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) September 19, 2023

Prior to Game 2, Sweeney was asked about what he improved on the most this season:

“I’ve been a lot more patient this year and seen a lot more pitches and that’s helped me grow as a player,” -Trey Sweeney said.

Sweeney had to deal with a calf injury that sidelined him for a month from August 3 to September 4. He had two home runs, two RBI and stole three bases in his final 12 games with a batting average of .291. His season stats: 14 HR, 50 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 102 games.

Hitting:

Sweeney 2-4, 2B, HR, 1 RBI

Dunham 1-4, HR, 1 RBI

Dunham Bomb 💣 pic.twitter.com/SweiH5a0Nx

— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) September 20, 2023

Pitching:

Abeyta 3.1 IP, 4 ER

Game 2 (9/21): L 2-0

Somerset bats on Thursday were silent and uncharacteristic for the Patriots since they lead all Double-A this season with HR (197), lead the Eastern League with Runs (749), BB (650), OBP (.346), SLG (.439), and OPS (.776). Rumble Ponies' pitching from Dominic Hamel and Paul Gervase held the Patriots scoreless in a total of nine innings. The first hit came off T.J. Rumfield in the 2nd inning.

How the Tables have Turned: The last time Hamel faced the Patriots on 8/13 the Patriots shut-out the Ponies 8-0 and the last time Fitts faced Ponies on 8/10 he started a three-hit shutout of Binghamton.

Fitts final line: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 1 HR

Fitts strikes out the side 🔥 @SOMPatriots pic.twitter.com/jNXKH9Ttd4

— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) September 21, 2023

Fitts ERA on the season was 3.46 and he struck out 171 batters in 159 innings. He lead the Eastern League in strikeouts with his career-high (163). Despite great start by Fitts with 8 strikeouts he gives up a sac fly in the 3th and home run in the 5th.

Hitting:

Gasper 1-2, 2B, BB

Rumfield 1-3

Durbin 1-3

The Patriots' were only able to put together three hits, Rumfield with first hit in the second, Gasper in the sixth, and DUrbin in the eighth. Dees, Neely, and Myatt finished the game scoreless out of the bullpen.

Pitching:

Dees 1 IP, 0 ER

Neely 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 SO

Myatt 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER

It was the Yankees and the Mets Subway Series of Double-A and the Ponies got the edge this time in a best of three series. The Double-A subway series showcased some of the best talent in MiLB with five top 100 Prospects. Patriots' OF Spencer Jones (73), Ponies INF Luisangel Acuna (38), OF Drew Gilbert (52), SS Jett Williams (78), C Kevin Parada (89).

Fitts and Sweeney were the best performers of the series for the Patriots and are the 9th and 12th ranked prospect in the Yankees system, respectively.

"I know a lot of these guys love playoff baseball and there's nothing like being exposed to it early. It's extremely valuable seeing the guys who were here last year make it, it's something you can look at and be like...so there's a chance for me to go out and play and do that." -Spencer Jones said.