Pill's Three Run Homer Leads Defenders to Win
July 24, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Connecticut Defenders News Release
NORWICH, CT- Friday night brought some soothing comfort back to the Defenders as they returned home after a long road-trip and captured a 4-2 win over interstate rival New Britain in front of 5,081 fans at Dodd Stadium.
Connecticut got an early lift in the first inning when DH-Brock Bond leadoff with a single followed by a CF-Mike McBryde single and 1B-Brett Pill cleaned up with a monster three run blast (12) over the leftfield wall to claim game one of the best of three series.
New Britain found their way back in the ballgame in the fifth. SS-Toby Gardenhire delivered a leadoff single and C-Danny Lehmann double to place runners into scoring position. A CF-Brandon Roberts sac fly and 2B-Steve Singleton RBI single to right cut the lead to just one, 2-3.
The Defenders would manufacture an insurance run in the seventh as 3B-Brad Boyer ripped his team leading fifth triple in his first game back from a brief stint on the disabled list with a mild hamstring strain. Boyer would come in to score when 3B-Luke Hughes botched the chopper off the bat of 2B-Sharlon Schoop.
New Britain would bring the representing tying run to the plate in the ninth but were quickly shut down as closer Dan Otero struck out 1B-Erik Lis and got pinch hitter Matt Moses to ground out weakly to second base capturing his nineteenth save of the season.
Defenders' starter LHP-Jesse English (7-6) had thrown his best outings against New Britain and Friday wasn't any different. The Vista, CA native hurled six solid innings allowing two earned runs off of five hits, walked a pair and fanned three while earning his seventh win of the season.
Rock Cats' starter RHP-Matt Fox (6-6) took the loss even though he allowed just four runs, three earned off of four hits, walked one and fanned a season high nine batters.
Game two's matchup tomorrow features RHP-Daryl Maday (4-3) tossing for Connecticut while RHP-Mike McCardell (0-1) fires for New Britain in just his second start. First pitch is slated for 7:05pm.
The Defenders will also be celebrating the brave men and women that protect our country with Salute to the Military Night. A special ceremony will take place during the pre-game at 5:30pm. Saturday is also BIG Y Apple Giveaway where all fans receive a FREE apple upon entry and fans 18 years or older also receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win Apple products like nanos, shuffles and laptop(s).
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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