The New Britain Rock Cats erased a two-run deficit with two-run rallies in the fourth and sixth innings Saturday night to oust the Norwich Navigators from the Eastern League playoffs, 5-2, in the fourth game of the Northern Division championship series at Dodd Stadium.

Reading, which won the Southern Division title in four games Saturday over the Erie SeaWolves, will visit New Britain for the first two games of the best-of-five championship series.

The Cats will then travel to Reading where the 2001 league championship will be decided.

Tickets for New Britain's home games will be available at the Rock Cats box office Monday beginning at 10 a.m. or on the team's Web site -- rockcats.com.

Once again, Rock Cats slugger Michael Cuddyer had a hand in the victory. He singled and scored in the fourth inning, then blasted a solo home run in the seventh.

Tommy Peterman had two hits and scored two runs. Justin Morneau and Michael Restovich also had two hits each. Papo Bolivar drove in two runs on an infield grounder and single.

Starter Kenny Pumphrey earned the win, allowing five hits and two runs in 5.2 innings. Micheal Nakamura turned in a sizzling relief performance.

The Cats return to the EL finals for the first time since 1998 when they lost to the Harrisburg Senators, 3 games to 1. New Britain hasn't won the league crown since its inaugural season in 1983.

For more on the Rock Cats see sports starting on page C1.