Bound Brook, NJ - The Somerset Clippers improve to 10-2, with a sweep of the New Jersey C.O.A on a perfect Father’s Day afternoon at Billian Field.  Jared Fowler pitched a complete game 3 hitter in Game 1 with 9 strikeouts and Rob Roman went a combined 5-6 with 5 runs scored and 5 stolen bases, leading the way offensively from the leadoff spot for the Clippers.

In Game 1, The Clippers struck early, with 6 runs in the bottom of the 1^st inning, with RBI hits from Abel Perez, Zack Markle, Jose Pinto and George Tomasello. The Clippers scored two more runs in the 3^rd inning. With two outs, Jose Pinto and Kevin Farrell both singled and advanced to 2^nd and 3^rd respectively on a passed ball and George Tomasello promptly lined a single to center field to drive in 2 runs, giving the Clippers an 8-2 lead. They scored 4 more runs lead by RBI singles by Jared Fowler and Abel Perez. Rob Roman closed out the scoring for the Clippers with a bases loaded walk, giving them a 12-2 lead and the win after 5 innings.

In Game 2, the Clippers once again scored in the first inning. Rob Roman and Matt Mitchell had back to back singles. After Roman scored on Mike McCrea’s ground out, Mitchell scored on a passed ball and Jared Fowler drove in the 3^rd run of the inning with an RBI single. This time the C.O.A. answered in the bottom of the first with 3 runs of their own and the game was tied 3-3 after 1 inning of play.

In the 3^rd inning, the Clippers took a 4-3 lead on an RBI single by Mike McCrea. The Clippers blew the game open in the 4^th inning, scoring 8 runs and batting around the order. The Clippers scored all 8 runs with two outs. After a balk scored Zack Markle and a walk to Rob Roman to load the bases, Matt Mitchell lined a single to center, driving in two runs. McCrea drove in his 3^rd run of the game with his 3^rd hit of the game and Abel Perez followed with a two run single.  Jared Fowler and Freddie Castro completed the two out rally with RBI hits and the Clippers had a 13-3 lead.

The C.O.A. fought back and scored 4 runs in the top of the 5^th. With the Clippers up 13-7, the C.O.A. had the bases loaded no one out. Jose Pinto entered the game, relieving Mike McCrea, who struggled in relief of Zack Markle. Pinto promptly struck out the side and the C.O.A rally was dead.

The Clippers scored a run in the 5^th, on a sacrifice fly by Darren Prezovnak and two more runs in the 6^th on RBI singles by Freddie Castro and George Tomasello. Pinto finished the game on the mound and the Clippers won a slugfest 16-10 for a Father’s Day sweep.

The Somerset Clippers will be facing the Central Jersey Cardinals in a double header on Sunday, who defeated them 4 times last season, including twice in the playoffs in two classic one run games. The Clippers/Cardinals showdown will be Sunday June 22 at Billian Field. Game 1 starts at 9:00AM and Game 2 will begin at 11:30AM. Please come out and support your Somerset Clippers.

Game Notes:

-  In addition to Rob Roman’s incredible performance, many Clippers had great days at the plate:

            -           Jared Fowler had 4 hits and 4 RBI

-           Mike McCrea had 3 hits and 3 RBI

-           Abel Perez had 3 hits and 4 RBI

-           Freddie Castro had 4 hits and 2 RBI

-           George Tomasello had 3 hits and 4 RBI

- There was an impromptu gun show on the bench during Game 1 of the double header.

- Pete Trentacosta aggressively stole 2^nd and 3^rd base in Game 2, scoring on a sacrifice fly giving the Clippers a 10 run lead going into the 5^th inning. The Clippers needed three outs to end the game, however, McCrea was squeezed on several pitches in the inning and was unable to help end the game, allowing the game to go an additional two innings. Luckily Pinto is the lizard king.

- JE announced an hour before game time that he was called into work at 3am by a nervous father who insisted that he teach his kid how to hit on Father’s Day, prompting him to miss his 11^th straight game.

- Clippers starting pitcher for Game 2, Zack Markle, pitched brilliantly again, however, he was starving so he decided to leave to get a sandwich at Quick Chek before heading to work on the docks. Markle, who is likely to represent the Clippers in the All Star Game in two weeks, once again forgot to pick up Superstar Rob Roman, which prompted MVP of the game, Abel Perez to turn around halfway to Billian Field to pick him up. Perez and Roman combined for 8 hits on the day for the Clippers. Way to go Abel!

- Darren P. looked solid Game 2 for the Clippers and is starting to feel more comfortable at the plate. Maybe the nap during Game 1 helped him. He also avoided serious injury and possible life threatening loss of blood by using 7 year old bat tape to tape up a leg wound suffered while sliding into home.

- It was reported that Luis Rivera finally brought his own glove, after a Clipper record 23 consecutive games borrowing someone else’s, however, that report has not yet been confirmed.

- Jose Pinto was clocked scoring from 3^rd to home in record time late in Game 2. It’s too bad the outfielder caught the ball and threw to 3^rd for a double play while Pinto was grabbing his glove heading out to the mound. Pinto actually caught the throw from the outfielder and touched 3^rd base himself, becoming the first player in baseball history to complete a put out of himself.

- The league has confirmed that Gabe Vasquez tripped over a mosquito while running down the first base line. The mosquito has been suspended 5 games for blatant interference and has already appealed the ruling.