MANCHESTER, NH — Despite jumping out to a 3-0 lead, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (12-18) lost to the Harrisburg Senators (18-12) at Delta Dental Stadium, 4-3, on Friday night. The Cats knocked 11 hits but went 3-for-10 on the night with runners in scoring position.

Fisher Cats starter C.J. Van Eyk struck out six batters in five scoreless innings, his longest appearance of the season. Friday marked his first five-inning start since October 20, 2023, in the Arizona Fall League.

New Hampshire knocked Harrisburg starter Kyle Luckham (W, 2-1) for three runs on nine hits in six innings. Senators relievers Garvin Alston, Jack Sinclair and Tyler Schoff (S, 3) combined for the final scoreless three innings.

Right-hander Trent Palmer (L, 1-3) entered in the top of the sixth and gave up four runs on six hits in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Righty Nick Fraze made his 2024 Fisher Cats debut out of the bullpen and tossed 2 2/3 innings scoreless, only allowing one hit. Fraze hasn’t allowed an earned run since April 24, when he was with Triple-A Buffalo

Outfielder Devonte Brown went 3-for-4 on the night; he’s now hitting .413 over seven games in May. First baseman Rainer Nuñez clubbed his first triple of the season in a two-hit night. Shortstop Josh Kasevich also ripped two hits.

New Hampshire took an early lead in the bottom of the second thanks to four straight singles. Brown started the chain, then designated hitter Zach Britton, left fielder Gabriel Martinez and Nuñez followed. Martinez’s base hit brought in Brown, then Britton scored on a ground ball from catcher Phil Clarke. The Cats led 2-0 at the inning’s end.

Three more singles brought a Fisher Cats run across in the third. Kasevich singled to right, then second baseman Michael Turconi went the same way. Brown hit a chopper up the middle off the glove of Harrisburg infielder Jordy Barley and Kasevich hustled home from second to make it 3-0.

The Cats had one last gasp in the bottom of the ninth but came up short. Third baseman Riley Tirotta’s singled with one out in the ninth to extend his on-base streak to 10 games, the longest of any Fisher Cats batter this season.

Friday night’s Margaritaville Night brought 4,991 fans out to Delta Dental Stadium. The Fisher Cats’ Margaritaville Night game-worn jerseys are still up for auction through Sunday night at MiLBAuctions.com.

Saturday marks the fifth of six games between New Hampshire and Harrisburg with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 PM EDT.

New Hampshire’s team leader in strikeouts (31) Trenton Wallace (1-0, 1.59 ERA) takes the hill for the Fisher Cats, as they take the field as the Manchester Chicken Tendes for the first time in 2024. The Senators send right-handed pitcher Michael Cuevas (1-1, 3.42 ERA) to the bump for his sixth start.

The Fisher Cats are scheduled to play 69 home games in 2024 at Delta Dental Stadium. After New Hampshire’s upcoming series in Hartford against the Yard Goats, the Fisher Cats return to Delta Dental Stadium to host the Somerset Patriots in a seven-game series, beginning on Tuesday, May 21.

ROCHESTER, NH — If you didn’t know it already, allergy season is upon us, and no one probably knows that more than a trucker from Concord who escaped injury during a Rochester rollover on Friday after having a sneezing fit, according to New Hampshire State Police.

Around 7:45 a.m., state troopers were sent to a report of a crash on the northbound side of Route 16 around Mile Marker 16.2. A box truck, according to Tyler Dumont, the public information officer for state police, was found disabled across both lanes of the highway.

The truck driver, James Desrosiers, 29, of Concord, “suffered a sneezing fit and lost control of the truck,” Dumont said.

“The box truck, a 2023 International, then collided with an adjacent guardrail along the breakdown lane and swerved back toward the middle of the roadway,” he stated. “The truck then rolled over before coming to rest back on its wheels, perpendicular to the roadway.”

Desrosiers was not hurt during the crash, there were no passengers in the truck, and no other vehicles were involved. The truck was owned by Gather, a nonprofit that has developed innovative programs to address food insecurity and provide free food to residents in southern New Hampshire. The driver and truck were taken out of service due to “the ensuing motor carrier inspection,” Dumont said.

The highway was closed for about an hour during the cleanup. NH DOT, Dover police, Rochester Truck, and Troop G troopers assisted at the scene.

Anyone with additional information that could assist in the ongoing investigation of the crash was asked to contact Trooper William Bohnenberger at William.F.Bohnenberger@dos.nh.gov.

I was raised by two teachers so educators will always hold a special place in my heart. My mom was an Elementary School music teacher and my dad taught theater and TV Production at the high school I attended. Yes, I did take his class, and no he didn’t give me an ‘A’ just because I was his daughter. I kind of wish he did.

Teachers are often underpaid and underappreciated as they have one of the most difficult and important jobs out there. I absolutely love what the Readers Digest publication is doing to highlight the best and most beloved teachers in the country.

RD is letting communities cast their votes on who they think holds the title of America’s Favorite Teacher. Whoever gets the most votes will appear in Reader’s Digest Magazine, win a trip to Hawaii, and take home $25,000. How amazing is that?

One of our own is in the running! Heather Griffin is a second grade teacher at Chamberlain Street School in Rochester, and she has been there for 9 years. Miss Griffin has a passion for teaching and it is very clear that this is what she was put on this earth to do. She says

“My kids aren’t just students in a classroom, they’re family. I love them each wholeheartedly. We get to learn and have fun everyday.”

Heather is a quarter finalist for this award and with a few more votes she could be taking home the title and $25,000. How amazing would it be to see a teacher from our backyard win this?

Heather Griffin needs your vote and you only have a few days to do it, so vote here and share the link with your friends.

Best of luck, Heather! Even if you don’t win you are winner in our eyes and it is so unbelievable you got to this point. We’re so proud of you.