Squirrels strike early to beat Patriots
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels jumped to an early lead and beat the Somerset Patriots, 10-4, on Saturday night at TD Bank Ballpark.
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – The Richmond Flying Squirrels jumped to an early lead and beat the Somerset Patriots, 10-4, on Saturday night at TD Bank Ballpark.
The Flying Squirrels (59-40, 16-15 second half) scored 10-or-more runs for the 11th time this season, tied for the most double-digit scoring games in a season in franchise history, and picked up their second win of the series against the Patriots (53-48, 16-16).
Two nights in a row, Trevor Cohen gets on and Dayson Croes drives him home to put the Squirrels on the board! pic.twitter.com/zIwOkCalMz
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) August 1, 2026
Richmond plated eight runs in the top of the first inning against Somerset starter Chase Hampton (Loss, 0-4). Trevor Cohen led off with a double and scored on a double by Dayson Croes to open the game.
MAKE ‘ EM PAY, JACK 💣
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) August 1, 2026
Jack Payton’s grand slam makes it a six-run first! pic.twitter.com/MQECguf19Q
Later in the first, Ty Hanchey worked a bases-loaded walk to score Croes. Jack Payton followed with a grand slam off the left-field foul pole, the first grand slam this season for the Flying Squirrels, opening a 6-0 lead.
GONE! 💥
— Richmond Flying Squirrels (@GoSquirrels) August 1, 2026
Trevor Cohen stays hot in his New Jersey homecoming with his first Double-A homer! pic.twitter.com/KWSz5dwLhW
Cohen capped the frame with a two-run homer, his first at Double-A. He became the first Richmond player with multiple extra-base hits in the same inning this year. He collected multiple hits for the sixth consecutive game. Since last Sunday, Cohen is batting .500 (14-for-28) with a homer, three doubles, four RBIs, eight runs scored and eight stolen bases.
In the top of the second, Hanchey drove in Charlie Szykowny with a fielder’s choice to open a 9-0 Flying Squirrels lead.
Somerset closed the score to 9-2 in the bottom of the second. Luis Durango was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Connor McGinnis brought a run with an infield single.
Maui Ahina hit an RBI single in the top of the fourth to stretch the Richmond lead to 10-2. The Patriots answered with a solo homer by Manuel Palencia in the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Palencia hit an RBI single to cut the score to 10-4.
Will Bednar (Win, 3-0) entered in the fourth inning and stranded two runners on base with a pair of strikeouts. He worked three scoreless innings, tied for his longest outing of the season.
Tyler Vogel stranded two runners in scoring position for a scoreless eighth. Cristian Alvarado threw a 1-2-3 ninth and closed the game with a strikeout.
The series concludes on Sunday night. Right-hander Logan Martin (2-0, 4.46) will start for Richmond opposed by Somerset right-hander Ben Hess (3-2, 3.94). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. at TD Bank Ballpark.
The Flying Squirrels return home for a six-game series against the Reading Fightin Phils next Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are available online at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets, by phone at 804-359-FUNN (3866) or in person at the CarMax Park ticket office. Ticket packages for the Flying Squirrels’ home playoff games at CarMax Park on sale now at SquirrelsBaseball.com/Playoffs.