Pill Sets Franchise Record in 5-2 Loss
Published on September 1, 2009 under Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- After wrapping up their last regular season road-trip, Connecticut returned to Dodd Stadium to kick-off their final homestand of the year but got robbed Monday night by New Hampshire by the final of 5-2.
New Hampshire's LF-Nick Gorneault ripped a two run single in a three run eighth to give the Fisher Cats the lead for good but also made the defensive play of the year robbing Brett Pill of a two run homer in the ninth and instead turned a 7, 4, 3 double play to end the game in dramatic fashion.
Gorneault got his team out in front in the first inning when he drilled the first pitch he saw from LHP-Madison Bumgarner over the leftfield wall.
The Defenders evened things up in the fourth in historic fashion. CF-Mike McBryde led off with a double and advanced to third on LF-Brad Boyer's groundout to first. 1B-Brett Pill then sent a slow chopper to third scoring McBryde for his 101st RBI, setting a new single season Navigators/Defenders franchise record that was previously held by Danny Leon back in 1999.
The Fisher Cats regained the lead in the sixth. 2B-Jonathan Diaz led off with a double, advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a DH-Todd Donovan sac fly to deep center.
Connecticut blasted their way even again when Pill delivered a soaring homerun (16) over the leftfield wall to tie things at 2-2.
Bumgarner fired seven strong innings allowing just two earned runs off of only four hits while striking out one in the no decision. Defenders' reliever RHP-Dan Griffin (8-7) suffered the loss giving up three earned runs off of four hits in just one inning while walking one.
New Hampshire's RHP-Andrew Liebel (1-0) picked up the win in his Double-A debut, tossing eight stellar innings allowing two earned runs off of five hits and struck out five.
Game two's matchup will see Defenders RHP-Garrett Broshuis (4-4) up against the Fisher Cats' RHP- Kenny Rodriguez (4-3). First pitch is slated for 6:35pm at Dodd Stadium on a UBS Financial Senior Citizens Night where seniors 55+ can purchase tickets for only $3.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Defenders Box Office at (860)-887-7962 or online at ctdefenders.com.
Eastern League Stories from September 1, 2009
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- Curve Lose In 12 Innings 6-3 - Altoona Curve
- Portland stopped by the Thunder, lose 10-6 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Trenton Holds Off Portland 10-6 - Trenton Thunder
- McCardell Lifts Cats to Shutout Win - New Britain Rock Cats
- Gorneault hits 10th HR, adds 3 RBIs in 5-2 win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Pill Sets Franchise Record in 5-2 Loss - Connecticut Defenders
- Rock Cats Have Two Late Season Roster Moves - New Britain Rock Cats
- Aeros Media Notes - Akron RubberDucks
- Baysox Announce Roster Moves - Chesapeake Baysox
- Curve Back for the Final Homestand of the 2009 Season - Altoona Curve
- 56th Stryker Brigade to be Honored at Home Finale - Altoona Curve
- Reading's Dan Douglas Named Winner Of The 2009 Eastern League Diamond Pro Sports Field Manager of th - EL1
- Phillies Return Favor, Sweep Douple Dip - Chesapeake Baysox
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