Bound Brook, NJ - The Somerset Clippers improve to 7-1, with a sweep of the New Jersey Panthers Sunday afternoon at sunny Billian Field. Clipper pitchers combined for 14 innings of work, 19 strikeouts and an amazing ZERO walks. Jared Fowler, who pitched a complete game 3 hitter in Game 1, had 9 strikeouts, while Jose Pinto, who started Game 2 and Zack Markle, who came in relief for his 3rd win of the season, each had 5 strikeouts each.

In Game 1, The Clippers scored one run in the first inning on an RBI ground out by Jose Pinto, scoring the red hot Zack Markle, who singled previously, to give the Clippers a 1-0 lead. The Panthers took the lead in the 3rd inning, scoring 2 runs and carried that lead into the 6th inning.

Freddie Castro started the rally by getting hit by a pitch and promptly stealing second base. Zack Markle stepped up and dropped a perfect bunt down the 3rd base line. The Panthers third baseman, seeing that he had no chance in getting Markle out at first, tried to go to 3rd and threw the ball into left field, scoring Castro to tie the game. Jared Fowler stepped up and laced a single to left center field, scoring Markle, giving the Clippers the lead. Matt Mitchell and Kevin Farrell had huge two out RBI hits to extend the Clippers lead to 5-2. Fowler closed out the game on the mound, throwing the complete game for his second win of the season.

In Game 2, the Clippers once again scored in the first inning. Markle and Fowler had back to back walks and Markle moved to third on a fielder’s choice by Abel Perez. A throwing error by the Panthers allowed Markle to scamper home for the Clippers first run of the game.

Jose Pinto started the game on the mound for the Clippers, making his first appearance on the hill this season. He was cruising along until the 3rd inning, when the Panthers tied the game at 1.

The score stayed 1-1 until the 5th inning, when Markle once again reached on a walk, stole second base and scored on a single by Fowler, giving the Clippers a 2-1 lead.

Pinto gave way to Markle on the mound, looking hold the lead. The Panthers got to him quickly in the bottom of the 5th inning, tying the score 2-2.

In the 6th inning, George Tomasello lead off the inning with a walk and Mike McCrea followed with a single to give the Clippers runners on 1st and 2nd with no one out. Luis Rivera tried to move the runners over with a bunt, however, the Panthers decided to go to 2nd base and got the force, leaving the Clippers with runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Rivera got picked off of first base and it looked like the rally would stall. However, Brian Stanton and Rob Roman each walked after going deep into the count to load the bases and Freddie Castro stepped up and promptly singled, scoring Tomasello from 3rd base, giving the Clippers a 3-2 lead. After the Panthers walked Markle again forcing in a run, Jared Fowler put the dagger in the hearts of Panther fans by lacing a 2 run single to left field, giving the Clippers a commanding 6-2 lead. Abel Perez tacked on another insurance run with an RBI single and the Clippers lead 7-2. Markle closed the game out on the mound and the Clippers celebrated with another sweep.

The Somerset Clippers will be facing Los Aguilas at TD BANK BALLPARK in Bridgewater on Saturday June 7 at 1:30PM, while returning home on Sunday June 8 to face the 9-1 New Jersey Vipers at 9:00AM at Billian Field. Please come out and support your Somerset Clippers.

Game Notes:

- Freddie Castro and Rob Roman (both pictured) make their triumphant return to the Clippers Sunday and make huge contributions.

- The Clippers are negotiating with a new sponsor for Saturday’s stadium game. They will be holding a press conference Friday to announce the partnership.

- Mike McCrea continues to shine as a late inning defensive replacement, throwing out a runner at second base trying to stretch a single into a double.

- Gabe Vasquez was forced out of Game 1 with a knee injury and is listed as day-to-day.

- The Clippers have announced that Luis Rivera and Kevin Farrell will be sent down to Tampa to attend a base running clinic and should return in time for Saturday’s game.

- Jose Pinto is the Lizard King, he can do anything.

- South Side Grill is dead to us.