EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Nick Gorneault drives in three as Fisher Cats top Defenders 6-2 Friday night

Published on May 15, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


Norwich, CT---Nick Gorneault went two-for-four with a single, double and three RBI and Marc Rzepczynski picked up his Eastern League-leading sixth win as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats turned back the Connecticut Defenders 6-2 Friday night before 4,055 at Dodd Stadium.

New Hampshire (20-15) scored two unearned runs in the top of the first inning. Brad Emaus reached on an error and advanced to second on a single by Brian Jeroloman. David Cooper flied to deep center allowing Emaus to take third. He scored on an a sacrifice fly by Brian Dopirak. Jeroloman then moved up on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Adam Calderone (2-for-3, RBI, 2R) to give the Fisher Cats a 2-0 lead.

Connecticut (18-16) got a run back in the bottom of the first inning against winning pitcher Marc Rzepczynski. After making two errors on the first two grounders hit to him, Rzepczynski walked Brandon Crawford to load the bases with no outs. Brett Pill grounded into a double play, scoring Brock Bond. He then retired Eddy Martinez-Esteve to end the frame up 2-1.

The Defenders tied the game in the bottom of the third. Bond reached on an infield single, moved to second on a single by Antoan Richardson. He went to third on a fielders choice grounder by Brandon Crawford and scored in an infield single by Brett Pill.

In the decisive top of the sixth inning, Brian Dopirak led off with a walk against Connecticut reliever Waldis Joaquin (0-3), Calderone drilled a double into the right field corner, Sean Shoffit (1-for-3, RBI) hit a sacrifice fly to left scoring Dopirak, and Nick Gorneault singled Calderone home to make it 4-2.

Rzepczynski (6-2) left after 5.1 innings, allowing five hits, two runs (one earned), walking two and striking out six.

New Hampshire put together a two-out rally in the top of the eighth inning, scoring two more runs. Calderone walked, Shoffit singled and Gorneault doubled both men home with a gap shot to right-centerfield.

Bubbie Buzachero worked 2.2 innings of stellar relief, retiring all eight batters he faced with four strikeouts. Leon Boyd worked around an infield single in the ninth inning.

Connecticut starter Henry Sosa, who did not figure in the decision, allowed two unearned runs on four hits over five innings. The Defenders also saw a season-high six-game win streak snapped.

The Fisher Cats continue the road trip Saturday at 5:05pm against the Connecticut Defenders at Dodd Stadium. The teams will complete a suspended game from April 20 which is tied at 0-0 after five innings. They will then play a nine-inning game with RHP Randy Boone (3-0, 4.34) starting for New Hampshire against Connecticut RHP Tim Alderson (1-0, 0.00). Radio coverage begins at 4:45pm with the BayRing Pre-Game Show on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network with Bob Lipman.

The Fisher Cats return home next Friday night, May 22, to open a series against the Trenton Thunder at 7:05pm. It will be Law Enforcement Night at Merchantsauto.com Stadium, and it's also David Ortiz Bobblehead Giveaway Night, courtesy of Sovereign Bank. For tickets, visit www.nhfishercats.com or call (603) 641-2005.

Check out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2009


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