Game 1 vs. Somerset Patriots

After losing the first 2 series on the road, going 1-5 thus far, the Skeeters hoped to turn things around at the TD Bank Ballpark against the division leading Patriots.

Bubba Bell started things off with a lead off double and was driven in for the first score by Drew Locke's triple. Locke scored on a Jason "BIG MAN" Botts ground out for the 1st out. Pressley walked but Ben Harrison hit into the Skeeter's number one play...the 6-4-3 double play for the 2nd & 3rd out. Ryan McKeller faced 4 batters but held the Patriots scoreless...making the score 2-0 after the 1st inning. The Skeeters fell back into a slump for the 2nd inning going 3 up & 3 down. McKeller struggled mightily in the bottom half of the 2nd inning facing 7 batters, allowing 3 runs...making the score 2-3 after the 2nd inning. The struggling bats continued for the 3rd inning as the Skeeters went 3 up & 3 for the second inning in a row. McKeller again struggled in the 3rd inning facing another 7 batters but only allowing 1 run this time...the score was 2-4 after the 3rd inning. Jason "BIG MAN" Botts extended his consecutive game hit streak to 11 games with a lead off HR in the top of the 4th inning. The Skeeters were able to muster 4 base runners for the inning, but no more runs other than the HR by Botts. McKeller settled down for the 4th inning only facing 3 batter and setting them down in order...the score was 3-4 after the 4th inning. The Skeeter's 4th inning looked promising as Victor Gutierrez had a lead off single and Bubba Bell doubled to score Gutierrez. The rally hopes died as the next four batters were only able to eek out an intentional walk, issued to Jason "BIG MAN" Botts. Trey Rackel came in to relieve McKeller but did not fair any better as he faced 7 batters, the 3rd time the Patriots sent 7 to the plate in 4 innings, and allowed 3 runs...making the score 4-7 after the 5th inning. The Skeeters were able to get a few runners on the bases with a single by Octavio Martinez, a hit-by-pitch for Marcos Cabral, and a fielder's choice for Victor Gutierrez but did not score a run in the top half of the 6th inning. After a dismal outing for Rackel in the 5th inning, he returned to the mound in the bottom half of the 6th inning. After giving up a lead off double, Rackel retired the next 3 batters to end the inning...score remained 4-7 after the 6th inning. The top half of the 7th started for the Skeeters sending the meat of the order to the plate. The Skeeters first 2 batters, Locke and Botts, went down on strike outs for the first 2 outs. Pressley managed to hit a single to RF but was left on base when Harrison grounded out to the pitcher for the 3rd out. Rackel came back out for the bottom half of the 7th inning and was able to get the Patriots 3 up & 3 down...keeping the score 4-7 after the 7th inning. With that completed inning, it gives Rackel the team lead for longest relief outing at 3 innings. Van Ostrand began the 8th inning with his team leading 6th walk of the season. Martinez reached 1st base on a fielder's choice, getting Van Ostrand out at 2nd for the 1st out. Marcos Cabral singled advancing Martinez to 2nd. Victor Gutierrez fouled out to the catcher for the 2nd out of the inning. Bell then stepped in for a chance to drive in runs but flew out to CF, leaving 2 runners on the bases, 10 total for the game so far...3 outs to get something done. Eric Krebs came in for Rackel to close out the game...and hopefully hold the Patriots scoreless in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Skeeters pitching staff continues to be the Achilles heel as the Patriots are able to get a lead off triple, having the next batter drive in the run with a single. With the help of a caught stealing, a strike out and a ground out, the Patriots were only able to score 1 run...making the score 4-8 after the 8th inning. Drew Locke, Jason "BIG MAN" Botts, and Josh Pressley give the Skeeters their best chance at a rally in the 9th inning. The Skeeters failed to get anything going other than a single by Pressley and went 4 up & 3 down to end the game. The final score was 4-8.

With this loss, that gives the Skeeters their 2nd 3-game losing streak on this road trip, their record thus far is a dismal 1-6 on this road trip, and they have a 4-7 record for the season. 

With the win, the Somerset Patriots take the division lead with a 6-5 record as the Lancaster Barnstormers fall to a 5-6 record after losing to the Camden Riversharks.

Tomorrows game begins at 10:05 AM local time.