By David F. Pendrys

NEW BRITAIN, CT-The Somerset Patriots avoided the sweep Thursday night picking up a 5-3 win over the New Britain Bees on a night influenced by fielding mishaps.

The Bees struck first off Somerset’s eventual game winner Scott McGregor in the second. Jonathan Roof doubled and was immediately driven in by Michael Crouse doubling him home for a 1-0 lead.

New Britain’s Cole Johnson walked the first two batters of the third inning, and Rob Kral advanced them with a bunt that the Bees bobbled, only managing to get Kral at first. Mycal Jones smacked a deep sacrifice fly to score Matt Fields. Aharon Eggleston hit a catchable ball to right field but it was dropped allowing Carlos Guzman to score from third.

In the fourth the mishaps continued as Brad Snyder singled to right for Somerset but in the ensuing throws back in as he contemplated second base the ball ended up in the dugout allowing him to move to third. Bryan LaHair hit a sac fly to bring him in for a 3-1 lead. The Bees responded in the bottom of the inning as Craig Maddox smashed a home run immediately. Michael Crouse would late make it to first on a Somerset fielding error and get advanced to third by a Kevin Rivers single. Jon Jones laid down a bunt that McGregor mishandled allowing Crouse to slide into home and tie the game at three.

In the top of the sixth Snyder went yard to regain the lead for Somerset, and an insurance run would be added in the eighth as well. The Patriots bullpen held the Bees scoreless after McGregor’s exit including closer Jon Hunton who snagged a save as McGregor was awarded the win. Johnson was on the hook for the loss giving up 4 runs, but only 2 of them earned. Johnson also had struck out 5 in a relatively good outing.

The Bees were visited by former Major Leaguer Bernie Carbo during the night’s events as well.

Next up, the Bees will face the Bridgeport Bluefish in a weekend series.