EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Dopirak blasts EL-leading 16th HR in 8-2 win over Erie

Published on June 20, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Manchester, NH- Brian Dopirak smashed his Eastern League-leading 16th home run of the season, a two-run eighth inning blast that capped a 3-for-5, three RBI night in the New Hampshire Fisher Cats' 8-2 triumph over the Erie SeaWolves at Merchantsauto.com Stadium on Saturday night. Dopirak raised his league-leading RBI total to 52 and moved into a tie for the league lead in hits with 79.

New Hampshire (30-39) used a five-run seventh inning to snap a 1-1 tie and send Brandon Magee to his fourth victory. Dopirak delivered a run-scoring single off Zach Simons, scoring Brian Jeroloman (3-for-4, R), who led off the frame with a single off losing pitcher Josh Kite. Ramon Garcia entered for Erie (38-29) and served up a two-run single to Adam Calderone (2-for-5, 2 RBI, R) and a two-run double to Cody Haerther (1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI), propelling the Fisher Cats to a 6-1 lead.

Dopirak's two-run, opposite-field shot off Garcia in the eighth inning raised his AVG. on the homestand to .458 (11-for-24) with three homers and eight RBIs.

Magee (4-4) scattered six hits over a season-high seven innings, allowing one run and notching four strikeouts for the win.

Kite (2-3) suffered the loss after yielding one run on two hits and a walk in 2.2 innings of relief.

The Fisher Cats went ahead, 1-0, in the bottom of the fourth inning when Brad Emaus (0-for-2, 2 BB, SB, R) walked, stole second and scored when Nick Gorneault (1-for-4, RBI) roped a single to left off Erie starter Josh Rainwater.

The SeaWolves tied the game, 1-1, in the top of the fifth against Magee when Ryan Strieby (2-for-4, R) and Alex Avila (2-for-4, 2B) led off the stanza with back-to-back singles, with Strieby scoring on Danny Worth's fielder's choice ground out.

Erie tacked on a run in the ninth inning when Aliva doubled off Celson Polanco and scored on Michael Hollimon's single.

The Fisher Cats and the SeaWolves play the finale of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:05pm with New Hampshire sending left-hander Luis Perez (4-6, 3.67) to the mound against Erie right-hander Jonah Nickerson (4-5, 4.69) in a 1:05pm game. Radio coverage begins at 12:45pm with the BayRing Pre-Game Show on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network.

The first 1,000 fathers at Merchantsauto.com Stadium on Sunday afternoon will receive a free Fisher Cats Hat, courtesy of Amato's. For tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics



Eastern League Stories from June 20, 2009


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