Defenders Win 6-5 in 13
September 3, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- It took just over four hours but in the end it was the Defenders Brett Pill lifting Connecticut to a 6-5 thirteenth inning come from behind victory over northern division rival New Hampshire in the two teams final meeting of the season.
With one on and two out, Pill smashed a double into right centerfield that sent 2B-Brock Bond racing around to score the game winning and give Connecticut a 2-1 series win over the Fisher Cats.
New Hampshire touched the scoreboard first in the first as LF-Todd Donovan leadoff with a single, stole second and advanced to third by tagging on a deep fly ball to right field. DH-Nick Gorneault would drive Donovan in on a weak grounder to third to give the Fisher Cats the early 1-0 edge.
The Fisher Cats continued to attack Connecticut with a two run third. After a one out single by 3B-Scott Campbell, Gorneault drew a walk then 1B-David Cooper slapped an RBI single. 2B-Brad Emaus followed suit with an RBI single of his own to cap off the inning.
New Hampshire kept the theme of two runs going in the fifth taking advantage of a pair of walks when CF-Darin Mastroianni delivered a two run opposite field triple to inflate the F-Cats lead to 5-0.
Connecticut's offense finally came around in the sixth off the bat of Pill who sent his 17th homer of the season over the leftfield wall.
The seventh saw the biggest surge from the Defenders as they sent all nine batters to the plate and produced four runs. Mike Mooney leadoff with a pinch hit homerun to kick things off. With two outs, LF-Brad Boyer singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Brett Pill RBI single. DH-Eddy Martinez-Esteve slapped a double inside the right-field line to place runners in scoring position. Connecticut would receive back to back RBI singles by RF-Josh Phelps and SS-Brandon Crawford as the Defenders battled back to even things at 5-5.
Connecticut continues their homestand tomorrow as they welcome the Reading Phillies into town to begin a 5 game series over the holiday weekend. The Defenders will send LHP-Ben Snyder (3-4) to the bump in game one versus the R-Phils' RHP-Vance Worley (7-11). First pitch is slated for 6:35pm.
Friday is United Way of SECT Night at Dodd Stadium as well as the final fireworks show of the regular season. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Defenders Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or online at ctdefenders.com.
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