Defenders Fall to Fisher Cats

Published on August 18, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release


MANCHESTER, NH- Two familiar rivals got together again Tuesday night and delivered the same old tough battle but in the end New Hampshire out lasted Connecticut to claim an 11-7 victory over the Northern Division leader.

With the bases loaded and one out, Defenders reliever LHP-Matt Yourkin (5-2) short changed one to the plate which led to a wild pitch that got away from C-Jackson Williams and SS-Manny Mayorson scored the game winner from third to give New Hampshire a game one win in the three game series.

Connecticut catapulted their way to an early lead as LF-Bobby Felmy sent a three run homerun (5) over the right field wall in the second inning.

New Hampshire clawed their way back in the third inning. LF-Todd Donovan reached on a SS-Brandon Crawford throwing error, Mayorson singled and 1B-David Cooper drew a two out walk to load the bases. 3B-Al Quintana then took the first pitch he saw from RHP-Jesse English and tied the ballgame at three with a bases clearing double.

The Defenders wasted no time recovering as they plated four runs in the fourth. CF-Mike McBryde leadoff with a single then DH-Tyler LaTorre pulled an RBI double down the right field line and advanced to third on a throwing error by RF-Nick Gorneault. LaTorre would score quickly on a LF-Bobby Felmy RBI single. 2B-Brock Bond would single and 3B-Brad Boyer would finish up with a two RBI double to the gap in left center to give Connecticut a 7-3 cushion.

The Fisher Cats continued to claw, drawing back to back walks with two outs in the fourth and Mayerson took full advantage blasting a two RBI double to left center to cut the lead in half. That would drive English from the game after tossing just 3.2 innings or work allowing five runs-two earned off of only three hits, walked six and fanned two in the no decision.

The sixth inning saw New Hampshire pull within one run on a Cooper RBI single to drive in Donovan who doubled to leadoff the inning.

New Hampshire got the first two aboard in the eighth when Cooper smacked an RBI double to tie the game at seven all. The Defenders elected to intentionally walk Quintana to load the bases but a wild pitch would give the Fisher Cats the lead. Not satisfied, Gorneault took the first pitch from Yourkin over the left field wall for a three run homer to seal the game.

Yourkin blew the save and suffered the loss in just one inning of work allowing five earned runs off of four hits, walked one and struck out three. Fisher Cats' reliever LHP-Tim Collins (1-0) earned the win in his Double-A debut hurling one scoreless inning.

Connecticut will look to rebound in game two as they send RHP-Daryl Maday (5-4) to the hill against New Hampshire's LHP-Luis Perez (8-10). First pitch is slated for 7:05pm from MerchantsAuto.com Stadium.

Fans can catch all the action on the Defenders Flagship Station WICH 1310AM Norwich or online at ctdefenders.com.

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Eastern League Stories from August 18, 2009


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