Cats Snap Skid in Doubleheader Split with Yard Goats

Cates matches career high 10 Ks, Gleed belts third homer in as many games

By New Hampshire Fisher Cats

July 31, 2026

HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (13-18, 47-51) split their Friday night twin bill with the Hartford Yard Goats (14-17, 53-46) at Dunkin’ Park with a pair of one-run games. The Fisher Cats fell in nine innings in game one, 9-8, and won game two, 3-2. The Fisher

HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (13-18, 47-51) split their Friday night twin bill with the Hartford Yard Goats (14-17, 53-46) at Dunkin’ Park with a pair of one-run games. The Fisher Cats fell in nine innings in game one, 9-8, and won game two, 3-2. The Fisher Cats’ nightcap win snapped their eight-game skid.

Game One | Game Two

New Hampshire’s game one starter Gage Stanifer was tagged for seven earned runs in 3-1/3 innings. Relievers Kelena Sauer and Yondrei Rojas combined for 4-2/3 innings of shutout ball out of the bullpen in the loss. Newcomer Jonathan Todd (L, 0-1) suffered the loss after he allowed a pair of runs to cross in the ninth.

In game two, starter Austin Cates matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in a dominant outing against the Yard Goats. The right-hander allowed two runs in 5-2/3 innings and punched out four of the last five batters he faced. Reliever Austin Marozas (W, 1-0) notched the final four outs of the game. Cates’ 10 strikeouts was a new Double-A high.

Tonight's Top Takeaways

RHP Austin Cates struck out 10 batters in game two, the most he has had in an outing in Double-A.

Cates’ 10 strikeouts matched a single-game high which he most recently achieved on April 4 at Spokane.

INF Dub Gleed has mashed a home run in three consecutive contests, his fourth in his last seven games.

UTL JR Freethy hit his first home run with the Cats since September 14, 2025.

RHP Austin Marozas notched his first Double-A win.

OF Mathieu Vallee recorded his first Double-A hit in a 2-for-4 effort in game one.

New Hampshire ended their eight-game losing skid with a 3-2 victory in game two.

Game One

Behind 8-7 in the bottom of the ninth, Hartford rallied and won the game. With the bases loaded, center fielder Jacob Thomas tied the game on a groundout. The next batter, shortstop Dyan Jorge, rolled a ground ball to short. Catcher Cole Messina scampered home and the Goats completed the walk-off win, 9-8.

New Hampshire opened the scoring in the top of the first. Right fielder Eddie Micheletti Jr. walked to open the inning. With a runner at first, designated hitter Aaron Parker (12) walloped a two-run blast and gave the Cats the lead.

Hartford tied the game in the bottom of the third thanks to a sacrifice bunt and RBI single from Jorge. Evened up at two, the Fisher Cats quickly loaded the bases in the top of the fourth. Second baseman JR Freethy was hit by a pitch which made it 3-2. Shortstop Cade Doughty bounced into a double play, but it brought the second run of the inning home, 4-2.

The Goats bats stayed hot with a five-run bottom of the fourth. Highlighting the inning was a three-run double from Messina and a two-run homer hit by right fielder GJ Hill (12).

Trailing 7-4, New Hampshire mounted a rally. With one out in the fifth, Micheletti Jr. tripled. He scored one batter later on a sacrifice fly from Parker. With the bases empty, third baseman Dub Gleed (5) launched a solo home run. In the sixth, Doughty (2) slugged a two-out homer and tied the game at seven.

After two scoreless innings, the Fisher Cats took the lead in the top of the ninth. First baseman Carter Cunnigham opened the inning as the inherited runner. Left fielder Mathieu Vallee singled and with runners on the corners, Cunningham scored in a balk.

Game Two

Locked in a 2-2 tie in the seventh, Gleed (6) pummeled a solo home run on the first pitch of the frame which gave the Fisher Cats a 3-2 lead.

New Hampshire struck first in game two. Cunningham (5) clobbered a solo homer and made it 1-0.

In the bottom of the third, Hartford took the lead. With one away, right fielder Zach Kokoska was hit by a pitch. Thomas (1) clubbed a two-run homer and pushed the Goats ahead.

The Cats quickly responded in the fourth with a two-out solo home from Freethy (1).

The Fisher Cats and Yard Goats continue their six-game series on Saturday, August 1, with first pitch slated for 6:10 PM at Dunkin’ Park. New Hampshire’s Danny Thompson Jr. (0-1, 2.93 ERA) is penciled to start against Hartford’s Stu Flesland III (3-0, 2.56 ERA). Coverage begins at 5:50 PM on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.

New Hampshire returns home to open August with a six-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs, beginning on Tuesday, August 4 with Jewish Heritage Night. Following a 12:05 PM first pitch on Camp Day on Wednesday, the Fisher Cats are giving away a crossbody bag for Purr in the Park Night to the first 500 fans to Thursday’s 6:03 PM game, presented by Delta Dental.

With postgame Atlas fireworks following both Friday and Saturday’s games, Friday night is Soccer Night, with a Fisher Cats soccer jersey giveaway to the first 500 fans presented by Coca-Cola Northeast. Saturday, August 8 is Star Wars Night, as well as Union Night. The Fisher Cats will be auctioning off their game-worn Star Wars-themed jerseys throughout Saturday’s game, with all benefits going to Make-a-Wish New Hampshire. The Fisher Cats and Sea Dogs close down the series with Stand Up To Cancer Day and It’s Easy To Be Kind Day, presented by Dartmouth Health.

Season and single-game tickets for the 2026 season are available at nhfishercats.com, via email at [email protected], by phone at (603) 641-2005, and in-person at the Delta Dental Stadium Box Office on 1 Line Drive in Manchester, New Hampshire.

About the New Hampshire Fisher Cats

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays and play their games at Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester. Over 180 former Fisher Cats have gone on to make their Major League debut. The Fisher Cats have raised millions of dollars for various charities through the Fisher Cats Foundation and continuously strive to improve the quality of life for Granite State residents. The organization has been recognized as New Hampshire Business Review’s “Best Sporting Event to Take Clients to”, Parenting New Hampshire Magazine’s “New Hampshire’s Favorite Sporting Event for Families”, and New Hampshire Magazine’s “Best New Hampshire Sports Team”. For more information on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, please visit nhfishercats.com, call (603) 641-2005, or contact Chris Jared via email at [email protected].