Bound Brook, NJ – The Somerset Clippers opened up the season with a 10-9 win over the Union County Beavers on Sunday behind Brian Stanton and his 3-RBI day, including a 2-run HR. The Clippers held off a ferocious Beavers rally in the bottom of the 9th for the victory.  

Jared Fowler started the game on the mound for the Clippers and earned the win, while Jose Pinto came in for the save in the 9th.

The Clippers started the season off the right way with a lead off single by Matt Mitchell to CF. After Brian Stanton got hit by a pitch, Jared Fowler hit a long fly ball to LF for the first out of the inning, allowing Mitchell to advance to 3rd on the play and he eventually scored on errant throw to home plate for the first run of the game.

In the 3rd inning, Gabe Vasquez walked and with two outs, Stanton hit a 2-run HR to deep LF and the Clippers were out to a 3-0 lead. The Beavers bounced back with 3 unearned runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning and the game was tied at 3 after 3 innings.

In the 5th inning, Mike Feinstein reached on an error and Vasquez walked for the 2nd time. With runners on 1st and 2nd and no one out, Matt Mitchell put down a perfect bunt and beat it out for a base hit, loading the bases with no one out. Stanton stepped up and hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Clippers a 4-3 lead. After Fowler singled to once again load the bases, David Rivera walked in a run, giving the Clippers a 5-3 lead. Jose Pinto hit a ground ball and an error or two later, Matt Mitchell and Jared Fowler both scored to give the Clippers a 7-3 lead.

The Clippers took a 9-4 lead in the 7th when Vasquez walked for the 3rd time and scored his 3rd run of the game on a David Rivera single to left center field. Rivera's single also scored Fowler, who singled before his at bat.

With the Clippers up 9-4 in the 9th, Luke Walker led the inning off with a walk, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on a passed ball and eventually scored on a throwing error to give the Clippers a 10-4 lead going into the 9th inning. The 10th run proved to be most important because the Beavers rallied and with the bases loaded two outs in the bottom of the 9th and the score 10-9, Jose Pinto retired the Beavers hitter on a long fly ball to RF to secure the win.

The 1-0 Clippers will be facing the Middlesex Twins at Billian Field on Sunday April 19 in a double header with Game 1 starting at 12:00PM and Game 2 starting at 2:30PM. Sunday will mark the season debut of pitcher Mike Lombardo, DH Mike McCrea, 3B Freddie Castro and OF/P Zack Markle. Please get to the ballpark early, as seating is limited for this all important early season battle.The Somerset Clippers thank their legions of fans and are looking forward to seeing everyone at the park on Sunday. Please come out to support your Somerset Clippers.