EL1 Richmond Flying Squirrels

Squirrels Unable to Return to .500

Published on June 10, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Richmond Flying Squirrels News Release


MANCHESTER, NH - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (37-23) got off to a fast start and never looked back, dropping the Richmond Flying Squirrels (29-31), 6-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium on Friday night.

Squirrels' starter Justin Fitzgerald got into almost immediate trouble in the first inning, conceding a one-out single to Darin Mastroianni. Anthony Gose followed with a hit-and-run single into left-center field, putting runners at the corners with one out. Mike McDade grounded out to bring home Mastroianni, and Moises Sierra capped the inning with an RBI double to left-center field for a 2-0 lead.

The Fisher Cats got back after Fitzgerald and chased him from the ballgame with three more runs in the fourth inning. Sierra led off the inning with a single, the first of four consecutive base hits. With Sierra running, Travis d'Arnaud rifled a double into the alley in right-center field for a 3-0 lead. Ricardo Nanita followed with an RBI double, and after a Mike Sobolewski single, John Tolisano capped the inning with a sacrifice-fly. The Fisher Cats held a 5-0 lead when Fitzgerald departed with one out in the inning.

In his shortest outing of the season, Fitzgerald (4-4) took the loss over 3 1/3 innings. He conceded five earned runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out two. Left-hander Alex Hinshaw followed and turned in 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep the Squirrels within shouting distance.

Meanwhile, New Hampshire right-hander Henderson Alvarez was outstanding through five innings. He shutout the Squirrels on two hits. However, Richmond attempted to chip away at the lead with the long-ball beginning in the sixth inning. Charlie Culberson unloaded on an elevated-pitch from Alvarez, belting a solo-shot off the Samuel Adams Bar & Grill in left field to put the Squirrels on the board. It marked the third consecutive game with a home run for Culberson, a feat never before accomplished by a Squirrel.

In the seventh inning, Roger Kieschnick sent an opposite-field solo-home run to left field to trim the advantage for New Hamsphire to 5-2. It was the closest Richmond would get however, as Alvarez (3-1) retired to the win after 6 2/3 innings. He allowed a pair of runs on four hits, walked none and struck out six.

New Hampshire closed out the scoring with a run against right-hander Edwin Quirarte in the seventh inning. Right-handers Chad Beck and Bobby Korecky took it the rest of the way out of the bullpen for the Fisher Cats, combining to toss 2 1/3 scoreless innings.

Game two of the three-game series is scheduled for 7:05 PM on Saturday night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. RHP Daryl Maday (2-4, 3.74) will make the start for the Squirrels. New Hampshire has yet to name a starter for Saturday's game. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:35 PM on Sports Radio 910 AM and SportsRadio910.com.

Check out the Richmond Flying Squirrels Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 10, 2011


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