By Tiffany Williams –
On a lively Thursday night at Delta Dental Park in Portland, Maine, the Portland Sea Dogs faced off against the visiting New Hampshire Fisher Cats in an exciting showdown between the Granite State and the Pine Tree State. The Sea Dogs showcased their skills, emerging victorious with a 14-3 win, boosting their record to an impressive 5-1 in the early season.
Starting on the mound for the Sea Dogs was Tyler Uberstine, who delivered a solid performance over 4.2 innings. He kept the Fisher Cats at bay, throwing 87 pitches—49 of which found the strike zone. Uberstine allowed five hits and three runs while issuing three walks and striking out an impressive eight batters.
Opposing him was CJ Van Eyk, the Fisher Cats’ starter, who struggled to find his rhythm. Over 2.1 innings, he threw 70 pitches, with 43 strikes, but was hit hard, allowing five hits and surrendering nine runs. Van Eyk issued two walks and struck out four, leaving him searching for answers on the mound.
The Sea Dogs erupted for their initial runs in a thrilling bottom of the second inning, where Ronald Rosario, Caden Rose, Luis Ravelo, and Karson Simas crossed home plate, giving Portland an early advantage.
The bottom of the third inning ignited with a lead-off single from Mark Kolozsvary, followed by a walk drawn by Blaze Jordan. Then, with anticipation heavy in the air, Ronald Rosario made his mark by launching a powerful three-run home run on the sixth pitch from Van Eyk, propelling the score to 7-0. The excitement didn’t stop there, as Corey Rosier contributed with a clutch two-RBI double, extending Portland’s lead to a staggering 9-0.
While the Fisher Cats managed to ignite a spark in the top of the fourth, as Eddinson Paulino connected for a pair of singles, driving in both Yohendrick Pinango and Peyton Williams, it only brought the score to 2-9.
However, the Sea Dogs responded emphatically in the fifth inning. Jacob Sharp managed to score for the Fisher Cats, narrowing the gap to 3-9, but it was a fleeting triumph. The Sea Dogs roared back, adding five more runs, thanks to a collective effort from Luis Ravelo, Corey Rosier, Mikey Romero, Mark Kolozsvary, and Blaze Jordan, sealing the game with a resounding lead of 14-3.