The Norwich Sea Unicorns, in conjunction with the Futures League, have announced the 2026 season schedule. The Futures League will feature seven teams this season, with the addition of former New York Penn League foe, the Lowell Spinners. With seven teams in the fold, the Futures League has modified the schedule from previous seasons. The 2026 season will be comprised of 60 games in total, with teams having 30 home games and 30 road games. With the odd number of teams, fans will notice another change as the league cannot have a league-wide Monday off day. Teams will now have random off days each week, and in some cases, play a long stretch without a day off.

The Sea Unicorns will open defense of their three straight Futures League Championships with a road game on Thursday, July 28th as they visit the New Britain Bees for a morning game. The Sea Unicorns are scheduled for their first home game on Saturday, July 30th as they host the Westfield Starfires at 6:30pm, with a planned magnet schedule giveaway and post game fireworks.

The Sea Unicorns home schedule breaks down with three (3) Monday home games, four (4) Tuesday home games, six (6) Wednesday home games, four (4) Thursday home games, five (5) Friday home games, four (4) Saturday home games and four (4) Sunday home games. All home games Monday through Saturday will begin at 6:30pm, while all Sunday home games will begin at 1:00pm.

While the promotional calendar is still being determined, fans can expect many popular promotions to continue, including Sunday postgame kids run the bases, Thirsty Thursday drink specials (TBD),  and Friday post game fireworks. Further details for the promotional calendar will be released in the coming months.

Sea Unicorns season ticket packages and flex voucher packs are currently on sale by reaching out to the Front Office staff via phone (860-887-7962) or email ([email protected]). We look forward to another terrific summer of fun entertainment and seeing everyone at the ballpark!

The Futures League season did not start off the way the Norwich Sea Unicorns would have liked. Looking to become the first team in the league’s history to win three straight championships, the Sea Unicorns struggled to win consistently for most of the summer. However, the team was able to secure a berth into the playoffs for the third year in a row, and then pulled off the unthinkable by winning two straight games over a Worcester Bravehearts team that steamrolled its way to a regular season record 45 wins. However, the inconsistency continued with a championship series opening loss to the New Britain Bees, and then being down to their final two outs in the ninth inning of game 2 before rallying to tie, and eventually win in 12 innings, to force a decisive game 3. When the dust had settled, the Sea Unicorns accomplished the threepeat.

This week, the Futures League announced its first and second team all league players. The Sea Unicorns placed five players on the teams, pitchers Matt Wootton (1st) and Frank Spirito (1st), infielders Charlie Walsh (1st) and Chace Chaplin (2nd) and Utility Player Aidan Stern (2nd).

Wootton and Spirito both had solid regular seasons before shining during the playoff run. Wootton (5-1, 2.70 ERA in the regular season) pitched 6.1 innings in the playoff opener at Worcester, leading the Sea Unicorns to an 8-4 victory that set up the series sweep of the Bravehearts. He also pitched the final inning of the championship series, after struggling in his game 2 start against New Britain, securing the final out on a groundout. Spirito (1-1, 2.27 ERA in the regular season) pitched 8 shutout innings in game 2 against Worcester before the game went into the 14th inning for the Sea Unicorns walk off victory to move on to the championship series.

And while mentioning that 14th inning walk off against Worcester, it was Charlie Walsh’s opposite field base hit that drove in the winning run in that game. Walsh (36 hits, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 20 runs batted in, 25 runs scored in the regular season) also had 2 RBI in game 2 of the finals and scored 2 runs in game 3 against New Britain while providing solid defense for the Sea Unicorns. Walsh was named the 1st team second baseman by the Futures League.

Chaplin was the Sea Unicorns first baseman for a bulk of the games down the stretch, batting .314 on the season, with 32 hits, 6 doubles, a home run, 12 runs driven in, 17 runs scored and 8 stolen bases. His solid play continued in the postseason, batting .300 with 6 hits, 2 doubles, 3 runs batted in and 2 runs scored.

Stern played 31 games during the regular season, getting playing time in the infield and outfield. Overall, Stern hit .309 with 34 hits, 5 doubles, 2 triples, a home run, 7 runs batted in, 22 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. Stern did not participate in the Sea Unicorns postseason run and was listed on the Futures League 2nd team at Designated Hitter.

Zach Gitschier Promoted From Pitching Coach To Top Spot

The Norwich Sea Unicorns today have announced the new Field Manager for the upcoming 2026 season, promoting Zach Gitschier from Pitching Coach to Manager, the 5^th in the Sea Unicorns history, following Eric Campbell (2021-never managed a game after being signed by the Seattle Mariners to finish his professional playing career), Devin Belenski (2021-2022), Kevin Murphy (2023-2024) and Kyle Dembrowski (2025). Murphy, who led the Sea Unicorns to 76 regular season wins, two regular season championships and two Futures League postseason titles in his two years as manager, will continue in his role as Director of Player Personnel for the Sea Unicorns.

“First, I would like to thank Kyle Dembrowski for his two outstanding seasons on the coaching staff of the Sea Unicorns,” said General Manager Lee Walter, Jr. “I continue to be excited about the future with Kevin staying on in his role and also being able to have Zach Gitschier take the reins as Manager. Zach brings several years of Futures League and college coaching experience to the position. Additionally, both Kevin and I have talked at length about the incredible job that Zach did for us last summer in helping us clinch our third consecutive championship.”

“I am thrilled and honored to be back in Norwich for the 2026 FCBL season. Last season was a truly special year for the team and I am thankful for the trust and support of our GM, Lee Walter, in guiding the Sea Unicorns,” said Gitschier. “I am confident that our coaching staff will continue the winning traditions and culture that has been established over the past three seasons. We will work tirelessly to develop our players and give them and our fans the best summer yet. Let’s make it another memorable summer in the Rose City.”

Gitschier is currently in his first season as the Pitching Coach at Division 1 UMass-Lowell. He has previously spent time at Saint Anselm College and was also with the Westfield Starfires of the Futures League for 1 season prior to joining the Sea Unicorns in 2025. Murphy is currently in his third season as the pitching coach at Division 3 Amherst College, following a season as the Volunteer Assistant Coach at Quinnipiac University to begin his collegiate coaching career. Further announcements regarding the coaching staff will be made once they are finalized.

In 2021, the Norwich Sea Unicorns began a new adventure following the loss of their MLB/MILB affiliated status. Now playing in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, a summer collegiate baseball league with teams throughout New England, the Sea Unicorns set out to make the best of that first season with very little time to prepare.

Over the next five seasons, the Sea Unicorns have seen many ups and downs, including becoming the first team in Futures League history to win three straight championships (2023, 2024, 2025). However, that first season was not quite the success that fans have grown accustomed to lately.

One of the bright spots on that 2021 team was a high school graduate from Memphis, TN, who was on his way to Kansas State University. The Futures League is one of the few summer collegiate leagues in the country to allow risers (high school graduates committed to playing baseball in college) to join the rosters prior to heading to college in the fall.

During that 2021 season, Kaelen Culpepper would appear in 40 games, playing 2nd base, shortstop and 3rd base. Finishing with a .301 batting average, totaling 40 hits, scoring 30 runs and driving in 19, Culpepper would also appear in the 2021 Futures League All Star Game in New Britain that summer.

As he moved on to Kansas State that fall, Culpepper would continue to develop into a potential professional baseball prospect. As a freshman in the spring of 2022, Kaelen played in 51 games and finished with a .283 batting average, collecting 47 hits, 9 doubles, 5 home runs, 27 runs scored and 22 RBI.

That summer, Culpepper would move on to the Appalachian League, batting .299 for Bluefield. Back at Kansas State for his sophomore season in the spring of 2023, Kaelen batted .325 in 40 games for the Wildcats. In the summer of 2023, Culpepper played 17 games for Harwich in the Cape Cod League, further cementing his status as a prospect that Major League teams would be keeping a close eye on leading into the draft following his junior season at Kansas State.

In the spring of 2024, Culpepper really shined for Kansas State, batting .328 over 61 games. Kaelen finished with season totals of 80 hits, 15 doubles, 6 triples, 11 home runs, 50 runs scored and 59 runs batted in. He also stole a career high 17 bases while helping the Wildcats sweep through the Fayetteville Regional, defeating top seed and host University of Arkansas along the way. The dream season would end at the Charlottesville Super Regional, losing to #12 National Seed University of Virginia. Culpepper was named a second team All American following the season.

That would not be the end of the dream year for Culpepper, however. During the first round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, the Minnesota Twins would call Culpepper’s name when it was their turn at pick number 21. With that, the Sea Unicorns had their second ever former player drafted into the professional baseball world (Colten Bender, who spent the first 2 weeks of that 2021 season in Norwich, was drafted that summer by the San Diego Padres organization. Bender is now out of professional baseball).

Culpepper signed his first pro contract that summer and played in 26 games (9 with Fort Myers at the low-A level, 17 with Cedar Rapids at the high-A level). Hitting .242 with 24 hits, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 17 runs scored and 12 runs batted in, Kaelen was able to get his feet wet in pro baseball to get a feel for what the next several years of his life will be like.

Following spring training in 2025, Culpepper was assigned back to Cedar Rapids to continue his development. Over 54 games, Kaelen hit .293 with 63 total hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs, 38 runs scored, 34 runs batted in and 15 stolen bases. The Twins had seen enough to promote Culpepper to the next level, double-A, in Wichita, Kansas.

Typically a player who can succeed at the double-A level has a great chance at ultimately playing in the Major Leagues. Culpepper was up to the challenge. Over 59 games with the Wind Surge, Kaelen batted .285 with 68 hits, 7 doubles, 11 home runs, 39 runs scored, 30 runs batted in and 10 stolen bases. Culpepper was also selected to play in the Major League Baseball Futures Game in July. This game has become a showcase for the best prospects in Minor League Baseball, held at the site of the All Star Game festivities each summer. Kaelen was also named the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Year.

Rising up the prospect charts, Culpepper enters the 2026 season as the Twins #2 prospect (these rankings can change drastically during the offseason as trades are made). Kaelen is also listed in the Top 100 prospects list, coming in at #52 overall. Though not expected to make the Major League roster this spring, Culpepper will likely spend some time with the Twins big leaguers during Spring Training.

With another great season, or bad injury luck in Minnesota, Culpepper could make his Major League debut later in 2026, or certainly in 2027. When that happens, Kaelen will become the 2nd former Sea Unicorns player to play in a Major League Baseball game (Jayvien Sandridge, who was on the 2021 Sea Unicorns roster before signing a professional baseball contract, made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in the summer of 2025).

The Norwich Sea Unicorns have reached an agreement with the City of Norwich to extend their stay at Dodd Stadium for the 2026 season. The three time defending Futures League Champions will look to defend their titles when the Futures League season begins in May of 2026. The Futures League will release schedule information at a later date.

While waiting for the schedule release, the Sea Unicorns will place season tickets and flex packs on sale immediately. Deposits or full payments for season tickets can be made by reaching out to the Sea Unicorns Front Office staff. Flex packs can be purchased by reaching out to the Front Office staff and will also be available for purchase online in the near future.

For more information on ticket packages, please navigate the Sea Unicorns website under the tickets & promotions tab. Promotional activity will be released sometime in late winter or early spring after the schedule is released and the staff can work to place fan favorite activities.

The Norwich Sea Unicorns Front Office staff extends our thank you to all of our fans and sponsors. We look forward to continuing to emphasize the fun, affordable family entertainment that you all of come to love! See you in 2026!

Norwich Sea Unicorns General Manager Lee Walter, Jr will be appearing on SNSN, with host Mike Minarsky, Tuesday (October 21st) morning at 9am with a special announcement regarding the Norwich Sea Unicorns and the 2026 season.

SNSN has been the streaming partner of Sea Unicorns since the 2024 season, helping the Sea Unicorns provide a top notch stream for the Futures League Network and SNSN for all Sea Unicorns home games.

SNSN Radio (Streaming News & Sports Network):  Small Community Station that provides News, Information, Sports coverage, Weather to residents of Griswold & surrounding communities.  We also offer many media services such as copywriting/productions and social media management.

Please join us for this special announcement by clicking the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/UmtwUaQ96uA?si=4IFlxobqp2KxGOzX

Sea Unicorns Make History, Become First Team in League History to Three-Peat

New Britain, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns made history Saturday afternoon with a decisive 13-4 victory in Game 3, becoming the first team in Futures League history to three-peat.

Norwich entered the postseason as the No. 4 seed and stunned the top-seeded Worcester Bravehearts with a sweep, punctuated by a 14-inning thriller at Dodd Stadium to punch their ticket to the finals. The championship series lived up to the “Battle of Connecticut” name, as New Britain edged Norwich 1-0 in 10 innings in the opener before the Sea Unicorns rallied from a 4-2 deficit in Game 2, tying it in the ninth and walking it off in the 12th to force a decisive Game 3.

The Bees jumped out early in the finale, scoring twice in the first inning on a wild pitch and a groundout. They threatened again in the second after starter Cooper Maher exited with a runner on first. Reliever Sean Connolly allowed an infield single to put two on with no outs but then steadied himself by retiring the next three batters to escape the jam and keep it a 2-0 game.

Norwich answered in the third, rallying with two outs as Connor Scanlan worked a walk and Chace Chaplin followed with an RBI single to right. New Britain pushed the lead back to 4-1 in the fourth on a bases-clearing double by Cam Righi, setting the stage for another Sea Unicorns comeback.

The Sea Unicorns’ offense came to life in the fifth, erupting for four runs aided by a pair of defensive miscues from the Bees. With one out, an error allowed Connor Scanlan to reach, sparking yet another two-out rally for Norwich. Chace Chaplin roped a double to left field to score Scanlan, and Norwich pinch-ran Gabriel Rivera in his spot. The move paid off as Rivera scored on a Bryce Detwiler RBI single, cutting the deficit to one. A walk to Charlie Walsh ended the night for Ty Davis and the second error of the inning allowed Norwich to tie the game. Gavin O’Brien gave the Sea Unicorns the lead with a base hit to right field, scoring Walsh.

Norwich broke the game open in the 8th inning, exploding for eight runs on eight hits sending 12 batters to the plate. The inning began with 4 straight hits and an error before the Bees recorded an out. The 8-run frame tied the highest scoring inning in Futures League postseason history.

Despite a rocky start, the Norwich bullpen was sharp over the final 5 innings limiting New Britain to 7 hits and 9 total baserunners. Sean Connolly earned his first victory of the postseason tossing three innings of 2-run baseball.

Bryce Detwiler earned Postseason MVP honors after recording his second consecutive multi-hit game and finished the postseason with an impressive .381 average (8/21) over 5 games with 6 RBI and 5 runs scored.

Win – Sean Connolly (1-0)

Loss – Ty Davis (0-1)

Time – 3:12

Written by Adam Plager

Sea Unicorns Force Game 3, Overcome Early 4-Run Deficit

Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns kept their championship hopes alive last night, defeating the New Britain Bees 5-4 in a dramatic 12-inning thriller at Dodd Stadium. Last night, marked the third consecutive extra-innings battle for Norwich this postseason and second walkoff victory.

New Britain stormed ahead early thanks to a mammoth 3-run homerun from George Slauson against Norwich starter Matt Wootton. Cam Righi and Colin Crowley set the table, wiring back-to-back base hits to begin the ballgame. Wootton punched out the next batter he faced before the power hitting first baseman clobbered his first homerun of the postseason and second of the summer – both at Dodd Stadium.

The Bees extended their lead in the 3rd, adding an insurance marker against Norwich reliever Gio Conte. Colin Crowley began the rally dumping a base hit into center field, moved into scoring position on a weak grounder to third, and advanced to third on Slauson’s second hit of the night. Jake Risedorf brought home Crowley on a sacrifice fly to center field.

Norwich battled back in the bottom of third, slicing the Bees lead in half with a pair of runs. Norwich took advantage of a walk and consecutive defensive miscues to load the bases with 2 outs. Charlie Walsh delivered, lining an opposite field single to left field, scoring Connor Scanlan and Antonio Ducatelli bringing Norwich within two. Walsh’s hit marked the first hit of the night from the Norwich offense against Bees starter Colin Blake.

Trailing by a pair of runs with 3 outs left, the Norwich offense surged once again, rallying for a pair of runs to tie the game at 4. Bryce Detwiler ignited the offense, smoking a leadoff triple to the alley in right center field. A wild pitch from closer Evan Mello allowed Detwiler to score, making it a one-run game. CJ Nolan flipped a base hit into right field, putting the tying run aboard. Clay Hartje executed a sacrifice bunt, advancing Nolan into scoring position for Gavin O’Brien, who wrapped a game-tying single into left field.

The ballgame remained deadlocked at 4 until the bottom of the 12th, and two outs. New Britain reliever Lucas Kamoen retired the first two batters he faced in order. Chace Chaplin sparked the rally smashing, a double down the left field line. Norwich elected to pinch run Michael Fiatarone for Chaplin at second base and the Bees decided to intentionally walk Charlie Walsh, setting the stage for Detwiler with two on and two outs. The UCONN commit delivered, lofting a base hit into center field, to score Fiatarone and cap a magical comeback at Dodd Stadium.

Gio Conte shined in relief, tossing 6 innings of 1-run baseball, earning himself Futures League Pitcher of the Night honors for the second time this summer. Conte’s performance last night is his longest career outing out at the collegiate level. Norwich pitching did not allow any runs over the final 9 innings in the comeback victory.

Bryce Detwiler was named Futures League Player of the Night for the second time this postseason, finishing 2/4 with a run scored and the game-winning RBI to send the series back to the Beehive.

Win – Eric Mathewson (1-0)

Loss – Lucas Kamoen (0-1)

Time – 3:27

UPCOMING

Norwich will look to make history this afternoon on the road at New Britain Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. for a winner take all Game 3.

Written by Adam Plager

Grady’s One-Hitter Not Enough in Sea Unicorns Shutout Game 1 Loss

New Britain, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns were shutout 1-0 Wednesday night, falling to the Bees in 10 innings. Last night’s defeat is the first loss for Norwich in the postseason and they trail the best of 3 championship series against their in-state foe 1-0.

Norwich starter Brendan Grady was dominant for Norwich, tossing 7 innings of one-hit baseball. Grady allowed just four baserunners all night while striking out 5, earning himself Futures League Pitcher of the Night honors for the second time this summer. The Trinity product carried a no-hitter through 6.2 innings until Easton Masse flipped a base hit into center field.

On the other side, Bees starter Ben Oliveira was equally impressive, tossing 6 innings of shutout baseball on two days rest. The right-hander limited the Norwich offense to five hits while striking out four.

Norwich threatened in each of the first 3 innings against Oliveir,a having a base runner reach third in each inning, but failed to convert on their opportunities. In the 2^nd, Norwich had their best chance, stringing together back-to-back hits from Charlie Walsh and Gavin O’Brien. Clay Hartje followed by lifting a fly ball to center field allowing Walsh to tag from second and advance to third, giving Norwich runners at the corners. New Britain moved their infield defense in with a man out and a runner on third. A soft grounder to third and a fly out helped Oliveira escape the threat unscathed.

Sea Unicorns reliever Gio Conte tossed two scoreless innings to send the game to extras. Conte breezed through the 8^th, however, ran into danger in the 9^th, surrendering a leadoff double to Righi and elected to intentionally walk Crowley with the open base. Despite the traffic, the right-hander retired the next three batters he faced to end the Bees rally.

In the 10^th, Norwich turned to Cam Thomas with the game still deadlocked 0-0. Unfortunately, the move was unsuccessful as the southpaw surrendered the lone run of the night. Jake Risedorf started the rally lining a base hit to right field. Thomas bounced back striking out Caleb Miller before Julius Rosado hammered a pinch double to the right center field alley just out of the reach of the Norwich center fielder. Brandon Gaer was due up next, but Norwich decided to intentionally walk him with first base open, bringing Cam Righi to the plate with the bases loaded. The UCONN commit delivered the final blow, wiring a base hit up the middle to score Risedorf and walkoff Norwich in Game 1.

The New Britain bullpen shined tossing 4 innings of no-hit baseball holding the Norwich offense to one baserunner.

Win – Jake Harmony (1-0)

Loss – Cam Thomas (0-1)

Time – 2:31

UPCOMING

Norwich is back at home Friday night for Game 2 of the Championship series. Norwich must win to stay alive to force a decisive Game 3 Saturday afternoon in New Britain. First pitch tomorrow night is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Dodd Stadium. Tickets for Game 2 are on sale now for $5.

Written by Adam Plager

Epic 14-Inning Walk-Off Sends Norwich to Futures League Championship

Norwich, CT – Exactly one year ago to the day, the Norwich Sea Unicorns walked off the Westfield Starfires to claim their second straight Futures League title. Tonight, in another dramatic finish, Norwich punched its ticket to the Championship series once again, walking off the top-seeded Worcester Bravehearts in a 14-inning thriller.

Norwich starter Frank Spirito turned in his best performance yet, tossing 8 shutout innings, holding the Worcester offense to 2 hits and a walk while striking out 6. Last night’s masterpiece matched his July 24^th outing in Worcester when the UCONN product held the Bravehearts scoreless over 8 innings.

On the other side, Worcester starter Jake LeFrancois held Norwich to just 1 run over 5 innings, scattering 4 hits. The Sea Unicorns scratched across their lone run against the right-hander in the 4^th, when a 4-6-3 double play brought home Antonio Ducatelli. The inning began with a leadoff walk and a Chace Chaplin single, putting runners at the corners for Bryce Detwiler. LeFrancois induced the double play to minimize the damage, then struck out the next batter to end the frame.

Worcester battled back to tie the game in the 9^th against Norwich reliever Sean Connolly. The Stonehill commit struck out the first batter he faced before trouble set in. Casey Wensley sparked the Bravehearts, wiring a base hit into right, then moved into scoring position on a balk. Jackson Marshall was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with one out. Jaylem Sepulveda tied the game with a soft single to right, scoring Wensley. The Bravehearts looked poised to take the lead on a grounder to third, but Connor Scanlan fired a perfect throw to the plate to cut down Evan Cali who was pinch running for Jackson Marshall for the second out. Connolly then retired Henry Digiorgio on a fly ball to center to end the threat.

The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 until the 14th, when Norwich finally scratched across the winning run. Chace Chaplin worked a leadoff walk to kickstart the offense, with Jack Byrne entering as a pinch-runner. Byrne promptly stole second, moved to third on a Bryce Detwiler grounder to second, and set the stage for Charlie Walsh. With one out and the infield drawn in, Walsh delivered, slicing a game-winning single down the left-field line to seal the victory and sweep the best-of-three series, sending Norwich to the Futures League Championship.

Justin Gouin earned the win, delivering four shutout innings of one-hit baseball, setting a season high in innings pitched. It was his second victory of the summer—both coming against Worcester.

Win – Justin Gouin (1-0)

Loss – Patrick Chapin (0-1)

Time – 3:34

UPCOMING

Norwich will await the winner of Game 3 between Vermont and New Britain to determine their opponent in the Futures League Championship. Game 1 will tentatively take place on the road Thursday night before Norwich returns home Friday night for Game 2. Please continue to check the Sea Unicorns website and social media pages for further updates about the schedule.