TRENTON, N.J. – The 2018 New Hampshire Fisher Cats are divisional champions.
Following a four-hour delay, the Fisher Cats concluded their sweep of the Trenton Thunder, finally winning 5-1 in the wee hours of Saturday morning.
A wild pitch provided New Hampshire its first run, bringing Gunnar Heidt across the plate in the third, followed quickly by a two-run line drive to right courtesy of Cavan Biggio. Trenton clawed back a run in the bottom of the inning but couldn’t add more as both teams struggled for offense early on.
Trenton in particular had difficulty with Eastern League Righthanded Pitcher of the Year Jordan Romano, with Romano giving up just three hits and a walk during his 5 2/3 innings of work, retiring the first six batters he faced as well as nine straight between the third and sixth.
Thunder starter Nick Nelson also generally stymied New Hampshire as well, giving up just four hits and four walks during his five-inning appearance before making way for Matt Wivinis. However, Jon Berti knocked a one-out double off Wivinis in the seventh, beginning another rally that added two more runs, more than enough for the rest of New Hampshire’s pitching staff.
During the three games of the series, New Hampshire’s relievers combined to allow just one run and eight hits over 12 innings. For the sake of comparison, the Fisher Cats’ bullpen allowed two runs and five hits in their final regular season game alone.
Patrick Cantwell ended the night going 3-for-4 while Biggio went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Berti also added a pair of walks along with the late double.
Now New Hampshire can rest, a rest sorely needed after the late conclusion, and await the Western Division champions. On Friday, the Altoona Curve defeated the Akron Rubber Ducks, 8-5, leaving Akron with a 2-1 advantage in the series.
Whoever wins that series will host New Hampshire on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the series returning to New Hampshire on Thursday, as well as Friday and Saturday if necessary.
