Carson Palmquist Records 10 Strikeouts for Yard Goats

Carson Palmquist Records 10 Strikeouts for Yard Goats

Final: Somerset 1, Hartford 0

WP: Kevin Stevens (2-0)

LP: Jaden Hill (0-2)

S: none

T: 2:03

Somerset, NJ- Ben Rice blasted a walk-off solo home run in the 9^th inning as the Somerset Patriots beat the Hartford Yard Goats 1-0 on Friday night at TD Bank Ballpark in Somerset, New Jersey. It was Rice’s 8^th career homer against Hartford in 13 games against the Rockies affiliate. Yard Goats left hander Carson Palmquist was outstanding and fired six scoreless innings, allowing just four singles, one walk and registered a Double-A high 10 strikeouts. He became just the eighth ever Yard Goats pitcher to record 10 strikeouts in a single game, and the first since Joe Rock did it last September. Somerset starter Trystan Vrieling was outstanding and pitched 7.2 hitless innings before hitting his pitch limit and departing in the 8^th inning. Zach Kokoska cracked a double off reliever Kevin Stevens for Hartford’s only hit.

This was a great pitcher’s duel between Harford’s Carson Palmquist and Somerset’s Trystan Vrieling who had each won their first two starts. Palmquist worked around a pair of singles in the first two innings and then struck out the side in the third inning. He kept the Patriots hitters off balance all night and fanned the final five batters faced including the side in the sixth inning. Somerset did not have a runner reach second base against Palmquist.

Vrieling was equally as tough and retired 17 of the first 18 batters with six strikeouts before allowing a two out walk in the sixth. He took a no-hitter into the eighth inning and retired the first two batters before getting lifted after he threw his 100^th pitch of the night. He departed a scoreless game. Zach Zokoska doubled off reliever Kevin Stevens for the Yard Goats only hit.

Yard Goats relievers Bryce McGowan and Juan Mejia both worked perfect innings in the seventh and eighth and it was scoreless going to the ninth. Ben Rice led off the ninth inning with a line drive home run over the right field fence, lifting Somerset to the 1-0 victory.

The Yard Goats continue the series against the Somerset Patriots on Saturday night at 6:05 PM. RHP Jarrod Cande will start for the Yard Goats and RHP Blane Abeyta will pitch for the Patriots. The broadcast can be heard on the free audacy app and Yard Goats website starting at 5:50 PM with the pregame show. The video stream will be available on MLB.TVand MiLB.TV and the Ballys Live App. The Yard Goats return to Dunkin’ Park in Hartford for a six-game homestand starting next Tuesday, April 23^rd and will host the Red Sox affiliate, Portland Sea Dogs.