There was no shortage of drama at Delta Dental Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Erie SeaWolves squared off in the series finale. The stakes were clear: the Fisher Cats, reeling from a tough stretch, were desperate to snap a six-game losing skid, while the SeaWolves were hungry for a sweep and another notch in their win column. When the dust settled, Erie emerged with a 4-2 victory, completing the sweep and extending New Hampshire’s misery to seven straight losses.
The Fisher Cats, now sitting at 21-35 in the second half and 51-74 overall, found themselves in a familiar position—playing catch-up. Erie, meanwhile, improved to 30-27 in the second half and a robust 75-51 overall, riding a wave of momentum that shows no signs of slowing down. For the SeaWolves, this win marked their sixth consecutive triumph, a testament to their consistency and resilience as the season barrels toward its conclusion.
Early on, the game had all the makings of a classic. New Hampshire, determined to avoid the sweep in front of their home fans, showed flashes of promise. But those flashes weren’t enough to overcome a disciplined SeaWolves squad that capitalized on every opportunity. Erie jumped out to an early lead, putting pressure on the Fisher Cats’ pitching staff and defense.
Still, the home side refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the third inning, first baseman Jackson Hornung stepped to the plate with his team trailing 2-1. Hornung, who has been one of the few bright spots for New Hampshire in recent weeks, delivered in a big way. He crushed his sixth Double-A home run—and his second blast of the week—sending a jolt through the stadium and knotting the score at 2-2. The crowd erupted, sensing a possible turnaround.
But after Hornung’s heroics, the Fisher Cats’ bats went cold. Over the next six innings, New Hampshire managed just five hits and left seven runners stranded. Every time it looked like they might rally, Erie’s pitching staff slammed the door. The SeaWolves’ bullpen, in particular, was lights-out, mixing speeds and locations to keep the Fisher Cats off balance. New Hampshire simply couldn’t find the timely hit they so desperately needed.
The tension reached its peak in the bottom of the ninth. Down by two and with the series sweep looming, the Fisher Cats loaded the bases with one out. The fans, ever hopeful, were on their feet, urging their team to mount a last-ditch comeback. But once again, Erie’s relievers rose to the occasion. New Hampshire failed to bring a run home, sealing the 4-2 defeat and handing Erie a hard-earned sweep in Manchester.
"We had our chances, especially in the ninth," said a visibly frustrated Fisher Cats coach after the game, according to team sources. "You load the bases with one out, you’ve got to find a way to put the ball in play and make something happen. Credit to their pitchers—they made the pitches when it mattered most."
Hornung’s home run was a silver lining on an otherwise disappointing afternoon for New Hampshire. The first baseman has been swinging a hot bat lately, and his power surge has not gone unnoticed by teammates and coaches alike. "Jackson’s been a spark for us," the coach continued. "He’s working hard, and you can see the results. We just need more guys to step up around him."
For Erie, this win was about execution and seizing the moment. The SeaWolves have made a habit of winning close games, and Sunday’s finale was no exception. Their pitchers scattered five hits and worked out of trouble time and again, while the offense did just enough to keep the pressure on New Hampshire. It’s the kind of balanced, gritty baseball that has propelled Erie to the top tier of the standings.
This sweep is especially sweet for the SeaWolves, who have now rattled off six straight victories. With the playoffs looming, Erie’s hot streak couldn’t come at a better time. The team’s confidence is palpable, and they’re playing with the swagger of a club that believes it can beat anyone, anywhere.
The Fisher Cats, on the other hand, are left searching for answers. Seven consecutive losses have taken a toll on the clubhouse, and the frustration is starting to show. New Hampshire’s inability to hit with runners in scoring position has been a recurring theme, and Sunday’s loss was a microcosm of their recent struggles. The team left seven men on base and failed to come up with the clutch hit when it mattered most.
Fans in Manchester have seen this story before. The Fisher Cats have endured their share of ups and downs this season, but this latest skid has been particularly tough to stomach. With just a handful of games remaining, the team is running out of time to right the ship and finish on a high note.
Despite the loss, there are reasons for optimism. Young players like Hornung continue to develop, and the experience of playing in tight, high-pressure games will pay dividends down the road. The Fisher Cats are a team in transition, and while the results aren’t there yet, the foundation is being laid for future success.
Looking ahead, New Hampshire will need to regroup quickly. The schedule doesn’t get any easier, and every game is a chance to build momentum for next season. The coaching staff will be looking for leaders to emerge, both on and off the field, as the team works to snap its losing streak and give the fans something to cheer about.
As for Erie, the SeaWolves are riding high. This sweep in Manchester is the latest chapter in a season full of memorable moments. With the playoffs on the horizon, Erie is peaking at just the right time. Their combination of timely hitting, lockdown pitching, and unwavering confidence makes them a dangerous opponent for anyone they face.
The baseball season may be winding down, but the intensity on the field is as high as ever. Sunday’s game was a reminder of why fans love this sport—the drama, the tension, the possibility that anything can happen. For the Fisher Cats, it’s back to the drawing board. For the SeaWolves, it’s on to the next challenge, with eyes firmly set on postseason glory.
As the teams packed up and the lights dimmed at Delta Dental Stadium, one thing was clear: the SeaWolves are surging, and the Fisher Cats are searching. The series sweep is in the books, but the story of the season is far from over.
