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Defenders End Rock Cats' Season

September 13, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


New Britain, CT - The Defenders pounded out 11 hits en route to a 2-0 shutout of the Rock Cats to capture the Northern Divisional Playoff Series on Sunday afternoon. The Defenders won the best-of-five series three games to one and will take on Akron in the Eastern League Championship Series.

The Defenders struck for their first when Bobby Felmy singled to center, moved to third on a wild pitch by Mike McCardell and scored on Jackson Williams' base hit to center.

McCardell lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and three walks. He didn't allow a run. The Rock Cats then turned to its bullpen. Six relief pitchers combined to limit the Defenders to two runs through the next 6 1/3 innings. Spencer Steedley (0-1) took over for McCardell and allowed three hits and the first run to suffer the loss.

Brett Pill added to the Defenders' lead with an RBI single off of reliever Kyle Waldrop that scored Brock Bond - who had reached base on a walk issued by Frank Mata (2 2/3 IP, 1 H, 1ER, 5 K).

Ari Ronick turned in an impressive start in his Double-A debut. Ronick (1-0), who made the jump from Low Class-A Augusta, limited the Rock Cats to two hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings. Joe Paterson notched his first save of the postseason. Mike McBryde led the Defenders with three hits.

The Rock Cats finished with a regular season record of 72-69 and a 1-3 record in the playoffs. This was the first season the 'Cats made the postseason since the 2003 season.

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