The Binghamton Rumble Ponies kicked off the first round of the Eastern League playoffs with a Game 1 win against the Somerset Patriots on Tuesday night.
Christian Scott got the start for Binghamton in this one and he continued his spectacular 2023 season. The right-hander made one mistake on the night, allowing a solo home run, but that was all he gave up while striking out five in his three-inning outing.
The Ponies offense was finally able to get on the board in the fourth and they didn’t look back from there.
Jeremiah Jackson, who has been terrific since being acquired from the Angels in the Dominic Leone trade, got things started with a one-out solo home run. The infield prospect finished the regular season on a high note and stayed hot Tuesday with two hits.
The Ponies added two more runs on RBI hits from Hayden Senger and Rhylan Thomas.
Top infield prospect Jett Williams then capped off the six-run inning with a monstrous three-run home run to deep left field. For the 19-year-old, it was his first long ball at the Double-A level, and it certainly came in a big spot. He finished a breakout regular season with 45 stolen bases and a .870 OPS.
Binghamton would add three more runs in the seventh and eighth to start the series with a 9-2 win.
Top prospect Luisangel Acuna, who left the game in the sixth inning after being hit in the face by a pitch, finished 0-for-3 out of the leadoff spot. Drew Gilbert went 0-for-4 with a walk, run scored, and stolen base.
24-year-old outfielder Rowdey Jordan had a big night for the Ponies, recording three hits and an RBI. First baseman J.T. Schwartz also enjoyed a nice night at the plate, picking up two hits and two RBI.
Right-hander Dominic Hamel (8-6, 3.85 ERA) will take the ball for Binghamton in Game 2 as they go for the series win over the Patriots on Thursday at 6:35 p.m.