Harrisburg Senators Weekly Recap: New Hampshire Fisher Cats Series Results and Highlights

Hope you’re having a great start to the week, Senators fans! Welcome to From the Beat, your inside look at the latest headlines, analysis, and storylines from around the Harrisburg Senators organization as the 2026 season rolls on. Let’s dive in.

This week was a unique one for the Senators as they played a 3-game home series against New Hamsphire rather than the standard 6. A very interesting matchup against the Blue Jays affiliate.

The Harrisburg Senators have continued to play solid baseball in the later stages of the season, winning yet another series against the Fisher Cats, claiming 2 of 3 games. Harrisburg has yet to lose a series for four weeks now.

Game 1 — vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats — Blue Jays affiliate (July 17) — Senators 2-5

The Senators had several opportunities to rally but couldn't capitalize, falling to the Fisher Cats 5-2 to open the series. Lyon pitched well after a rough start, retiring the last 11 batters and allowing just three hits over 4.1 innings, while Simpson’s 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings kept Harrisburg in it. Harrisburg struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1-for-12 and leaving 12 men on base, including missed chances in the first and seventh innings. The Cats took the lead with two runs in the first, added a run in the seventh, and scored two unearned runs in the eighth to stretch their lead. Harrisburg finally scored twice in the eighth, aided by catcher interference, but Coleman closed the game with a strikeout and a scoreless ninth.

Game 2 — vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats — Blue Jays affiliate (July 18) — Senators 7-4

Ethan Petry delivered a standout performance, going 4-for-4 with a career-high four hits and five RBIs to lead the Harrisburg Senators to a 7-4 victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, snapping a four-game losing streak. Petry was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. The game featured early scoring by the Fisher Cats, who took the lead in the second inning, but Harrisburg responded immediately in the bottom half with an RBI double from Petry to tie the game. The Senators took the lead in the fourth after back-to-back singles from Sam Petersen and Sam Brown, followed by Petry’s three-run homer—the sixth of his Double-A career. The bullpen, featuring Aaron Shortridge and Seth Shuman, kept the Fisher Cats off the board with four scoreless innings combined. In the eighth, Harrisburg’s offense exploded, with six consecutive batters reaching base to extend their lead to 7-2.

Game 3 — vs. New Hampshire Fisher Cats — Blue Jays affiliate (July 19) — Senators 2-0

RHP Jake Irvin made a strong return to FNB Field, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings on his rehab assignment from the Nationals to lead Harrisburg to a 2-0 shutout victory over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. This series win marks the Senators’ second in a row and their third in four second-half series. Irvin’s dominant performance included no walks and five strikeouts, with his only blemish a double by Arjun Nimmala in the fourth inning. Chance Huff finished the fifth with a quick out, earning his fourth win of the season. Josh Randall closed the game with four scoreless innings, striking out six and allowing only two singles, marking his first relief appearance in his pro career.

Nationals manager Blake Butera had this to say on RHP Jake Irvin who made a rehab start for the Senators on Sunday.

"We see a better athlete in there. We see a better arm in there. We see a better version of Jake Irvin. We don't want him to just feel like he's a guy that's going to go out there and just eat innings. We want him to go out there and dominate."

The Harrisburg Senators head back to FNB Field to host the Reading Fightin Phils (Phillies affiliate). Games will begin on Tuesday, July 21st.

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