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Rock Cats Roll out Hit Parade on Opening Night; Win 10-2

April 3, 2014 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Rock Cats began the 2014 season in winning fashion, defeating the Richmond Flying Squirrels 10-2 in front of an Opening Night crowd of 5,494 at New Britain Stadium on Thursday evening. New Britain pounded out 13 hits in the rout, with three Rock Cats sporting multi-hit nights.

Richmond jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening frame, collecting two runs on two hits off of starter LHP Pat Dean. RF Jarrett Parker punched a double out to left after fouling off multiple pitches and LF Mario Lisson followed up with a two-run home run over the left-field wall to put the visitors ahead.

New Britain answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the first. A leadoff double by CF Corey Wimberly and a single for RF Daniel Oritz set the stage for DH Nate Hanson, who cleared the bases when he ripped a double down the left-field line.

The Rock Cats would tack on another run in the bottom of the second when LF Reynaldo Rodriguez, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, scored on a fielder's choice hit to the left side of the diamond by SS Aderling Mejia.

Aggressive baserunning, a theme that Manager Jeff Smith said would be prevalent throughout the 2014 season, helped the Cats increase their lead to 4-2. Rodriguez advanced to second on a grounder to third and drew a throw from 1B Angel Villalona when he attempted to take third. The throw sailed over 3B Myles Schroder's glove and the leftfielder scampered home for his second run of the game.

Richmond was threatening with two on, two out in the top of the sixth but a headfirst diving grab by Wimberly would squash the rally. The home team would feed off of great defensive play and added three insurance runs courtesy of back to back doubles by 2B Tony Thomas and C Matt Koch, making it a 7-2 game.

New Britain added three more in the bottom of the eighth off of Richmond relievers to put cement the victory.

Naugatuck native Dean settled down quite nicely after a rough first inning. The lefthander went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while walking one and striking out seven.

The Rock Cats continue their opening series on Friday morning when New Britain sends RHP D.J. Baxendale to the mound against RHP Clayton Blackburn for an 11:30 a.m. contest.

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