Rock Cats Split Doubleheader

June 13, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Britain Rock Cats News Release


NEW BRITAIN, CT - New Britain starter Steve Hirschfeld struck out eight and Nate Hanson provided the run production as the Rock Cats downed Akron, 3-1 in the opening game of Wednesday night's doubleheader at New Britain Stadium.

The Rock Cats relied on small ball - and a little bit of help from the Aeros - in the bottom of the second. Matt Rizzotti led off the inning by hustling down the first base line to beat out a throw at first after slicing a grounder to third baseman Kyle Bellows. Rizzotti moved to second when Estarlin De Los Santos reached base on a fielding error by pitcher Steven Wright. With no outs, James Beresford laid down a sacrifice bunt back towards the pitcher's mound to move both runners up. Rene Tosoni then grounded out to shortstop but Rizzotti crossed the plate for the first run of the night. Hanson added an RBI single for the 2-0 advantage.

Hirschfeld cruised through the early portion of the game - retiring the first 14 of 15 batters he faced - before the Aeros struck for a run in the fifth. With two outs, Ryan Rohlinger launched a solo shot over the left field wall to cut the lead, 2-1.

Hanson added an RBI sacrifice fly in the sixth inning for the Rock Cats.

Hirschfeld limited the Aeros to one run on three hits in six innings. Caleb Thielbar tossed a perfect seventh to notch his fourth save.

Wright (5-3) suffered the loss for the Aeros. He allowed two runs - both unearned - and scattered six hits while walking three in five innings.

In the nightcap, the Aeros homered twice and escaped a bases loaded jam in the seventh and final frame to down the Rock Cats, 4-1.

Akron struck early against Rock Cats starter Logan Darnell when Thomas Neal homered over the center field wall for a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Ben Copeland blasted a solo shot to lead off the seventh for Akron. Nick Weglarz added a two-run double to seal the victory for the Aeros.

Akron's Brett Brach (2-2) limited the Rock Cats to one run on five hits in six innings. The lone Rock Cats run came in the seventh when Evan Bigley delivered a bases loaded single to right field to knock in Chris Colabello. That hit knocked Brach from the game. Preston Guilmet came on in relief and escaped the jam to pick up his eighth save.

Darnell (5-5) allowed just two hits and struck out five but walked four in 4 2/3 innings.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME (Game 1): LF Nate Hanson went 2-for-3 with two RBI in a 3-1 victory in game one of Wednesday night's doubleheader.

ALLSTATE PLAYER OF THE GAME (Game 2): LHP Logan Darnell struck out five while limiting Akron to two hits and one run in 4 2/3 innings.



Eastern League Stories from June 13, 2012


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