Somerset Patriots Defeat Newark Bears 5-0 Friday to Take 2-0 Lead in Freedom Division Championship Series of Atlantic League

My Wife and I attended the Somerset Patriots game at TD Bank Ballpark Friday night as they defeated Newark Bears 5-0. They now hold a 2-0 lead in the best of five Freedom Division Championship Series. We have the Saturday plan for all home games and good people sitting to our left and right definitely makes it worth it. Patriots starter Joel Kirsten pitched brilliantly going 7.0 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits. Matt Hagen was voted the team MVP by fan text vote last night and he played the game like one. In the bottom of the 2nd he led off with a single to right, stole second and went to third on a throwing error by the Bear catcher. Olivares drove him home with a sac fly deep to right. Hagen hit a double in the 7th, stole third then scored on a wild pitch. In the 8th Bear manager Tim Raines brought in two relievers (Nix and Smith) who combined to walk the bases loaded. Hagen hit a two out double to left field to clear the bases. He went 3 for 4 (2 2B), 3 RBIs, 2 runs with 2 SBs. Prinz came into the game in the top of the 9th in a non-save situation. The Bears had two base runners but could not score. The Patriots can sweep the series tonight in Newark.