Panas Blasts HR in Star Wars Night Win

Manchester, N.H. -Jordan Romano tossed a career-high eight shutout innings and struck out a season-high nine batters to lead the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) to a 2-0 win over the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals) on Star Wars Night at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.
Following the Star Wars Night festivities, fans were treated to a performance from the Human Cannonball, David "The Bullet" Smith, who launched himself over the diamond before a spectacular Atlas Fireworks Show. Romano (W, 9-4), finished his gem by retiring the final 12 batters he faced. He did not walk a batter and struck out eight. Travis Bergen earned his fourth save for the Fisher Cats, working around a leadoff single by Alex Keller in the ninth inning.
The Fisher Cats opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning. Santiago Espinal singled to shallow left field, stole second, and scored on a single by Cavan Biggio. Connor Panas led off the second inning, ripping the first pitch of the frame over the light tower in right field for his seventh homer to put New Hampshire up 2-0. Harrisburg starter Kyle McGowin (L, 4-3) allowed two runs in six innings, allowing four hits. He walked three and struck out nine. James Bourque tossed two innings of scoreless relief.

The Fisher Cats and Senators conclude the series at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free baseball glove courtesy of Northeast Delta Dental, and with every Sunday home game, Kids Run the Bases thanks to the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission, Division of Enforcement. For tickets, visit nhfishercats.com.