MANCHESTER, N.H. — Against their perpetual foil from last season, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Thunder came out on top on Opening Day, thanks to a strong performance from the pitching staff.

Hun alumnus Steve Garrison started and went four shutout innings before handing the ball to Craig Heyer in the fifth.

Heyer, despite walking two men and giving up an unearned run over three innings, picked up the win.

Melky Mesa, the team’s new center fielder, started his Thunder career strong with a run-scoring double in the second frame. Mesa later added a single, finishing a solid 2-for-4 debut.
Cody Johnson and Brad Suttle also smacked two-baggers in the victory.

Most of the damage came against Zach Stewart, a top Jays prospect who was 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA in five starts against the Thunder last season.

Tim Norton and Fernando Hernandez pitched the final two innings.

If one were to look for a flaw in this win, it would be found on the defense.

Trenton made four errors last night, including two from second baseman Corban Joseph, one from shortstop Jose Pirela, and a catcher’s interference call leveled against Austin Romine.

The teams face each other again tonight, when Shaeffer Hall will make his Eastern League debut against circuit stalwart Reider Gonzalez.