Defenders Win 6-1/ Series tied 1-1
May 5, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- A late inning surge by Connecticut catapulted the Defenders past the R-Phils 6-1 Tuesday night at Dodd Stadium.
The Defenders struck for five unanswered runs off of three hits and three walks in the bottom of the eighth to close the door on Reading and even up the series at one game a piece.
Connecticut struck the scoreboard first in the third inning when 2B-Brock Bond doubled and later scored on a 1B-Brett Pill fielder's choice on the left side of the infield giving the Defenders a 1-0 lead.
Reading responded in the top of the fourth inning with back to back doubles by 1B-Brian Stavisky and 3B-Neil Sellers to tie the game 1-1.
With the game tied, both teams traded zeros for three innings but in the top of the seventh inning Defenders Manager, Steve Decker voiced his opinion to home plate umpire Adam Harmari about his strike zone in hopes to spark his team and it eventually paid off in the end.
Pill leadoff with a double in the eighth inning then was sac bunted over to third base. An intentional walk to CF-Mike Mooney set up runners on the corners. Pinch hitter David Maroul delivered a hard hit ball to Sellers at third base where he mishandled scoring Pill. RF-Antoan Richardson doubled down the left field line to plate Mooney, then back to back walks to Williams and Schoop loaded the bases. 2B-Brock Bond then pulled a fastball inside the first base bag and down the right-field line for a bases clearing triple, his second of the season and Connecticut had a 6-1 advantage.
Defenders starter, RHP-Daryl Maday tossed six impressive innings allowing just one earned run, walked one and struck out five in the no decision. The R-Phils starter, RHP-Mike Stutes was just as good with six innings of his own, allowing one earned run off of four hits, walked one and fanned five.
RHP-Mike Musgrave (2-0) locked down his second win with two scoreless innings, allowed two hits and fanned two while Josh Shortslef (4-2) suffered the loss for Reading in just 1.2 innings of work, gave up five earned runs off of two hits, walked three and struck out one.
Game three brings Defenders righty Brooks McNiven (0-1) up against Reading's southpaw, Antonio Bastardo (1-1). First pitch is slated for 6:35pm. The Pre-Game Show will start at 6:20pm and you can catch all the action on the Flagship Station for the Connecticut Defenders WICH 1310 or by tuning in on ctdefenders.com.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Defenders Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or purchase them online at ctdefenders.com.
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