Sparky Lyle is used to having a handful of issues to deal with throughout the season. Now, the Somerset Patriots manager is one finger shy of a hand full of bling.

Lyle and the other members of last year's championship team received their diamond-encrusted gold rings during pre-game Opening Day ceremonies at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater last Thursday. In 2008, the Patriots won their fourth title, most among Atlantic League teams, in eight seasons.

"There's something to say for that," outfielder Noah Hall said. "It has to do with the players, but the staff is just as cool."

Hall especially had a strong first game. The outfielder's one-out, two-run single in the bottom of the eighth propelled the Patriots to the 4-1 victory over the Camden Riversharks. It was their first Opening Day win since 2004.

"I just didn't want to hit into a double play," Hall said. "It wasn't a bad, bad pitch. I just stayed inside it and lined it down the right field line."

Hall is making his second appearance as a Patriot. The last time was in 2007, when the New York Yankees snatched him up immediately after his 2-for-3 performance on Opening Day.

"That just worked out," Hall said laughing. "I think this year it's going to be more than one game, and I'm fine with that."

The Atlantic League has never had back-to-back champions, but with 14 returning players, this Patriots team seems poised to repeat. First baseman Josh Pressley, who won the last year's Player of the Year award after hitting .354 with 30 home runs and 101 RBI, said the familiarly in the clubhouse is huge.

"It makes you loose real quick," Pressley said. "You're confident out there playing with everybody and it helps you get off to a good start."

Returning pitcher Brian Adams agrees: "We were a team that had really good chemistry. We're a team that's used to winning because we did win last year."

Even the best players get nervous for the first game of a new season. Pressley said his adrenalin starts pumping before the first pitch is even thrown.

"I don't think there's ever an Opening Day where you don't have butterflies in your stomach," Pressley said.

Somerset apparently got rid of those butterflies quickly with Thursday's win. The players hope the pesky little creatures do return, however. Just in time for a return trip to the postseason.

StanchPoints: Lyle, Adams and pitching coach Brett Jodie were happy to hear my prediction that they would win it all in 2009...Closer Bret Prinz (kidney stones) and P Paul Bush (leg) are week-to-week. Prinz led the Patriots with 16 saves last year...Patriots GM Patrick McVerry picked up the 2008 Executive of the Year award during pre-game ceremonies.