Erie Blasts Season-High Six Home Run in Rout Over Somerset

Erie exploded for a season-high six home runs on Saturday, beating Somerset 17-3.

Trei Cruz began the scoring with a leadoff home run against Somerset starter Blane Abeyta in the first inning, his seventh home run and second leadoff home run of the season.

The Patriots took a brief lead on Jasson Dominguez’s two-run home run against Ty Madden in the third inning. Madden would last four innings, taking a no-decision, and allowing four hits, two runs, a season-high four walks, and six strikeouts.

Erie tied the game in the third when Trey Sweeney’s errant throw on Wenceel Perez’s potential double play grounder plated Cruz.

The Howlers rallied with two outs in the fourth against Abeyta. With two on, Luis Santana and Cruz had consecutive run-scoring infield hits. Andrew Navigato followed with a three-run homer, his first of the season, to give Erie a five-run frame and a 7-2 lead. Abeyta (2-3) wound up charged with eight runs, seven of which were earned, and took the loss.

Jake Holton led off the Erie fifth with his fourth home run of the season. In the sixth, Navigato blasted his second of the game, a two-run shot. Julio Rodriguez hit his sixth of the season later in the same frame, giving Erie an 11-2 lead.

The SeaWolves put six more across in the seventh inning. Luis Santana turned on a Tanner Myatt pitch for a three-run home run, Erie’s sixth blast. Diego Rincones later had a two-run single, which Gage Workman followed with an RBI single of his own.

In relief, Michael Bienlien (1-0) tossed three scoreless innings to secure the win. Yaya Chentouf allowed an eighth-inning run over his two frames.

Erie can win five of six in the series Sunday’s finale. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.