Kasevich's Four-Hit Night Leads Offense in Loss

ERIE, PA. – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (26-30) dropped a Saturday night contest at UPMC Park to the Erie SeaWolves (30-24) by a score of 10-5. Shorstop Josh Kasevich produced four of New Hampshire’s 11 hits, his third four-hit game of the season.

In his first season in the Eastern League, Kasevich leads the league in hits (67) and is tied for the second-best batting average (.315) with Portland’s Matthew Lugo.

Erie and New Hampshire combined to score 11 runs through the first three innings. New Hampshire produced an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, thanks to consecutive singles from Kasevich and left fielder Alan Roden.

In the bottom of the first inning, Erie promptly evened Saturday’s score with a two-run home run by designated hitter Jake Holton off New Hampshire’s CJ Van Eyk (L, 2-3). The SeaWolves extended their lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the second inning, as Erie produced a run-scoring single by catcher Julio Rodriguez and a Holton RBI double.

Holton finished Saturday’s game with a 3-for-3 line with three extra-base hits and drove in five runs.

The Fisher Cats fought and had a response of their own in the top of the third inning. The first five New Hampshire batters reached safely, beginning with a solo home run from right fielder Devonte Brown. Kasevich and Roden again singled consecutively, and a Rainer Nunez walk set up catcher Zach Britton for a bases-loaded double to move the deficit to 6-5.

New Hampshire forced Erie starter Garrett Burhenn out of Saturday’s game after tagging the righty for five runs on six hits in two innings. The SeaWolves bullpen carried the effort, however, and held New Hampshire scoreless after the third inning. Erie reliever Garrett Hill (W, 1-1) struck out four batters and did not allow a run on his two hits surrendered.

The SeaWolves extended their lead to 7-5 with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Erie knocked a pair of home runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, including the second home run of the game for the designated hitter Holton.

The Fisher Cats finished 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position to Erie’s 5-for-11.

New Hampshire concludes the Erie series and ends a two-week road trip altogether with a Sunday 1:35 PM EDT first pitch. Fisher Cats LHP Trenton Wallace (3-1, 2.64 ERA) makes his second showing of the series and faces Erie RHP Troy Melton (1-5, 5.11 ERA).

The Fisher Cats return to Delta Dental Stadium to begin back-to-back weeks of baseball in Manchester, starting Tuesday, June 11 with a six-game series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliates of the San Francisco Giants. After six games against Richmond, the Fisher Cats welcome the Reading Fightin’ Phils to Manchester from Tuesday, June 18 through Sunday, June 23.

Fans can purchase multi-game memberships and single-game tickets at NHFishercats.com, via email at [email protected], by phone at (603) 641-2005, and in-person at the Fisher Cats box office on 1 Line Drive in Manchester.

About the New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and play their games at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. Over 155 former Fisher Cats have reached the Major League level. The Fisher Cats have raised millions of dollars for various charities through the Fisher Cats Foundation and continuously strive to improve the quality of life for Granite State residents. The organization has been recognized as New Hampshire Business Review’s “Best Sporting Event to Take Clients to”, Parenting New Hampshire Magazine’s “New Hampshire’s Favorite Sporting Event for Families”, and New Hampshire Magazine’s “Best New Hampshire Sports Team”. For more information on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, please visit NHFisherCats.com, call (603) 641-2005, or contact Chris Jared via email at [email protected].