Connecticut Defenders Snap Six Game Skid with 3-2 Win Over Trenton Thunder
Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 04:46PM MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – NORWICH, CT- It took six games, but the Defenders worked their way out of a funk as they topped the Trenton Thunder Wednesday night, 3-2.
The Thunder jumped ahead of the Defenders in the bottom of the second inning as Kevin Russo turned a sure pick off into a run scored. Connecticut starter Paul Oseguera put a masterful move on Russo leading off of first base but air-mailed it over Travis Ishikawa’s head as Russo dug around the bags to make it 1-0, Thunder.
The Defenders tied the game up in the bottom of the third inning with one mighty swing of the bat. Adam Witter blasted a solo shot to deep right-center field to tie things up at 1-1.
ADVERTISEMENT After a quiet fourth, Connecticut would claim the lead for the first time in the home half of the fifth. Witter drew a lead-off walk, Eddy Martinez-Esteve singled Witter to third and Antoan Richardson hit a high sac fly to left field to give the Defenders a 2-1 advantage.
A scoreless sixth led to a seventh inning where the Defenders added insurance to their fragile lead. Richardson laid down a bunt and got aboard with his blinding speed. Ben Copeland bunted Richardson to second and then the speed took over. Richardson took off for third base and as an errant throw from P.J. Pilittere sailed over Carlos Mendoza’s head. Richardson took advantage of the miscue and came around to score as the Defenders cushioned their lead, 3-1.
Trenton staged a comeback of sorts in the eighth. With two down and nobody on, Colin Curtis sprayed a single to the opposite field. Matt Carson was next as he doubled home Curtis to make the game an uncomfortable one-run lead for the Defenders. With their backs against the wall and in dire need of the final out in the eighth, Bien Figueroa turned to his closer in Sergio Romo. Romo took care of business immediately, striking out Kevin Russo on four pitches as Connecticut edged closer to their first win in more than a week.
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