Thanks to an outstanding effort by starting pitcher Dietrich Enns, the Trenton Thunder shut out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 1-0 today at Arm & Hammer Park.
TRENTON — Thanks to an outstanding effort by starting pitcher Dietrich Enns, the Trenton Thunder shut out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 1-0 today at Arm & Hammer Park.
Enns threw seven dominant innings for the Thunder (12-8), racking up eight strikeouts and allowing only two hits over 95 efficient pitches (64 strikes), much to the chagrin of the Fisher Cats (7-11). Enns hasn't given up a single run this year, winning all three of his starts.
"Every time out he's had, he's mixed his pitches well, kept the ball down, and thrown strikes," said Thunder manager Bobby Mitchell. "He's been really impressive. I think his confidence level is pretty high. He's had a great start. He can just build on that. That confidence is huge when you step on the mound, just as it would be as a hitter when you step in to face somebody. I know he's confident. You can just see it out there when he's throwing his pitches."
"I try to always be confident," said Enns. "I try to go out there and just execute. I'm just trying to stay focused and execute pitches each time out."
While Enns took care of things on the mound for the Thunder, shortstop Cito Culver delivered Trenton's lone run of the game via an RBI triple in the fifth frame.
"Cito was perfect," said Mitchell. "I was happy to see that ball get through."
While a narrow one-run lead normally doesn't give a pitcher much breathing room, it was more than enough for Enns today.
Now that their seven-game home stand is complete, Trenton will go on the road to face Erie Friday at 6:35 p.m. in the first game of a three-game series. LHP Jordan Montgomery (2-0) is slated to start for the Thunder.
Rich Cuccagna may be reached at rcuccagna@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RichCuccagna. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.