Sharks Start of Second Half With a Win
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sharks Defeat
Somerset, 4-3
The Riversharks defeated the Somerset Patriots by a final
score of 4-3 today, in game one of a day-night double header. Camden pitcher
Josh Brey (2-4) picked up the win, as he pitched 5 strong innings, allowing just
2 runs on 4 hits and striking out 3 batters.
Somerset’s Kip Bouknight (4-6) was charged with the loss, as he gave up 3 runs, and 4 hits in just 3 innings of work. With the win, the Riversharks second half record improves to 1-0, while Somerset’ falls to 0-1.
Camden broke the game open in the 2nd inning, and took a 3-0 lead. An RBI single by third baseman Brett Bonvechio drove in Jon Knott for the first run of the game. Then, first baseman Vito Chiaravollotti laced a double into centerfield to set up two runners in scoring position for right fielder Wayne Lydon, whose double to right field plated both base runners.
The Sharks added an additional run in the 3rd inning, and took a 4-0 lead. With runners on the corner, Knott grounded into a double play that scored second baseman Junior Spivey.
The Patriots pulled back two runs in the 5th inning, and cut Camden’s lead to 4-2. With the bases loaded, Sean Smith hit a two out single to left field, scoring Travis Anderson and Elliot Ayala, and picking up his 29th and 30th RBIs of the season in the process.
Somerset continued to chip away at the Sharks’ lead in the 6th inning. With a runner in scoring position, designated hitter Jason Belcher notched a base hit to right field, scoring Teuris Olivares and making the score 4-3 in favor of the home team.
With a one run lead heading into the 9th inning, Camden put the game in the hands of closer Felix Rodriguez. Rodriguez retired the side in order, and picked up his 6th save of the year, as the Riversharks won by a final score of 4-3.
Game Two:
The Camden Riversharks were defeated by the Somerset Patriots
by a final score of 7-1 tonight, in game two of a day-night double header.
Camden pitcher Ryan DiPietro (1-3) suffered the loss, after pitching 5 innings,
allowing 6 runs on 6 hits, and striking out 3. Somerset’s Jason Standridge (1-2)
recorded the win, as he pitched 5 shutout innings, scattering 3 hits, and
striking out 6 batters. With the loss, both the Riversharks and Patriots’
records are at 1-1.
Somerset’s speed allowed them to plate early runs in the
nightcap of today’s doubleheader. With designated hitter Travis Anderson already
onboard, first baseman Joe Burke hit what looked like a typical double-play
ball. But his hustle down line allowed him to beat the throw, and to keep the
inning alive. He was followed up by right fielder Mike Rodriguez, who blooped a
single over the head of Riversharks’ third baseman Brett Bonvechio. Center
fielder Sean Smith then drew a walk that let second baseman Matt Hagen approach
the plate. Hagen hit a seeing-eye single between shortstop and third base, that
gave Burke and Rodriguez a ticket home, and a 2-0 Somerset advantage.
The
Patriots continued to fire away in the 5th inning, scoring a total of four runs.
Anderson led off the top half of the 5th with a double to left-center. Rodriguez
would then step to the plate and lace a single up the middle, which plated
Anderson. The speedy right fielder then stole 3rd, and scored when catcher
Frederick Torres gunned the ball over the head of third baseman Brian Burgamy.
After Smith drew a walk, Hagen blasted a triple off the right field wall,
allowing Smith to score all they way from 1st base. With Hagen on 3rd, third
baseman Jeff Nettles hit a fly ball to deep left field, letting Hagen stroll
home for a 6-0 visitor’s lead.
Before handing the game over to Scott Van Es
to secure the 8th and 9th innings, The Patriots added one more insurance run in
the 7th inning. Smith led off the inning with a double to left field, and scored
when Nettles hit a double to the same spot. Camden waited until the 9th inning
to finally touch home plate, when Brian Burgamy took Van Es’ first pitch of the
inning over the left field wall. The home run was Burgamy’s 5th of the year.
That run would be the only hit Van Es would allow, giving the Patriots an
impressive 7-1 win.
The Riversharks and Patriots will play game three of
their four-game set today, Saturday, at 5:35PM. RHP Kevin Mannix (1-0, 3.52)
will take the mound for the Riversharks, and he will be opposed by RHP Jim
Magrane (9-2, 2.52) from Somerset. Limited seating for the game is still
available. For more information, or to purchase tickets visit
www.riversharks.com.