Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning and down to their final out, the Trenton Thunder rallied back and secured a 2-1 walk-off win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats today at Arm & Hammer Park thanks to late-game heroics from shortstop Tyler Wade and center fielder Dustin Fowler.
TRENTON — Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning and down to their final out, the Trenton Thunder rallied back and secured a 2-1 walk-off win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats today at Arm & Hammer Park thanks to late-game heroics from shortstop Tyler Wade and center fielder Dustin Fowler.
With runners on base in the final moments of the game, Wade and Fowler delivered clutch back-to-back RBI singles for the Thunder (26-19) to upset the Fisher Cats (20-25), who failed to protect a one-run lead they earned back in the fourth frame. Wade and Fowler each had a trio of hits today, their final ones proving to be the difference in the game.
"It was exciting," said Thunder manager Bobby Mitchell. "In the last inning with two outs, the team really showed a lot of character by battling it out. They could've just thrown the towel in with two outs, but we played 27 outs. We're not out of it until they get 27, and this was a perfect example of how these guys continue to battle."
"I was just looking for a fastball over the plate to just kind of put in play," said Fowler on his game-winning RBI single.
Thunder starting pitcher Eric Ruth also contributed to the victory by pitching six solid innings, racking up five strikeouts and allowing only four hits.
"Ruth did a great job," said Mitchell. "He did a great job of throwing strikes and working out of jams. He did a really good job for us. I was really pleased."
"I felt good out there," said Ruth. "The win is definitely huge for the team. It's always exciting to win a ball game, but to go out there and win on a walk-off - it's a happy clubhouse."
Now that their four-game home stand is complete, Trenton will go on the road to face Binghamton tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. in the first game of a four-game series. RHP Ronald Herrera (4-2) is slated to start for the Thunder.
Rich Cuccagna may be reached at rcuccagna@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RichCuccagna. Find NJ.com on Facebook.