Portland Nips Rock Cats, 1-0

Published on June 2, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release

New Britain, CT - A lead-off Home Run in the 7th inning by Portland's Will Middlebrooks broke up a scoreless game and - in combination with the mound efforts of three Sea Dogs' pitchers - was enough to defeat the Rock Cats 1-0 this morning at New Britain Stadium. The early action was viewed by 7,315 fans, a gathering that constituted the 7th Sellout of the young season in the Hardware City.

Portland's most impressive hurler on the day was their 22-year-old starter, Brock Huntzinger, who tossed 6 complete innings of 3-Hit, 7 Strike Out ball. He was awarded the Win for his efforts, improving his record to 3-4. Huntzinger was nearly matched pitch-for-pitch by New Britain's starter and tough-luck loser, Steve Hirschfeld loser (3-3), who surrendered just 6 Hits and the single Run over 7.1 innings of work.

Things started well for the Rock Cats when their first two batters - Steve Singleton and Chris Herrmann - opened the game with consecutive hits. Huntzinger collected himself, however, and retired the next three New Britain batters - and 12 straight over the next four innings - before Singleton led off the 6th inning with his second hit of the day. New Britain would eventually put two runners on base in that frame, but the threat was extinguished when Portland's Catcher, Tim Federowicz, picked Chris Parmelee off 1B after he had strayed too far off the bag. It was Federowicz' fifth such assist of the season.

New Britain loaded the bases in the bottom of the 9th inning when Portland reliever Blake Maxwell hit two batters and issued a base-on-balls. He then bounced back by fanning two New Britain hitters to end the game.

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