TRENTON, NJ – A shutout? Two can play at that game.
A day after the New Hampshire Fisher Cats were shutout for the first time this season, they returned the favor to the Trenton Thunder, shutting them out 4-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Recently named Eastern League All-Star TJ Zeuch led the way, giving up just five hits and two walks in seven innings of work, with Kirby Snead and Andrew Case allowing just two baserunners over the final two innings.
Ultimately, the third inning solo shot from newcomer Eduardo Pinto proved to be the game winner, but the Fisher Cats got some insurance later in the inning from Max Pentecost’s first pitch double. That double brought in Harold Ramirez from second, even though Connor Panas couldn’t add another run on the play, as a sharp relay from Thunder centerfielder Jeff Hendrix nabbed Panas at home, ending the inning.
Jonathan Davis brought in Nash Knight on a sacrifice fly in the fourth and Gunnar Heidt added another first pitch RBI in the eighth, bringing Pentecost home on a bunt single down the first base line.
At the plate, Mandy Bolasky and Devyn Alvarez equally combined for four of Trenton’s six hits on the day while New Hampshire received multi-hit performances from Pinto, Pentecost, Panas and Heidt.
Zeuch (6-3) was the winning pitcher of record while the loss went to Trevor Stephan.
Stephan (2-4) lasted only four innings, allowing eight hits and two walks, striking out three.
New Hampshire’s Thomas Pannone (0-0, 2.25 ERA) takes on Trenton ace Domingo Acevedo (2-1, 2.73 ERA) on Monday, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m.