The 2023 Futures League season equaled many first’s for the Norwich Sea Unicorns. First place team in the league, first year manager, and first championship title.

After a slow start to the year, it seemed as if the Corns where doomed for another disappointing season in the Rose City. These feelings of self doubt soon went by the way-side as Norwich would continue to win game after game.

After defeating the Bees in game three of the semi-finals 12-2, focus would shift to the Vermont Lake Monsters, who where making their third straight finals appearance.

Due to mother natures wrath and for the sake of players, the championship would be shortened to a winner-take-all one and done game instead of a best of three.

Vermont would strike early in the second by an RBI double from Kyle Lodise. Norwich would answer back immedietly with a fielders choice hit by Zach Donahue to score Ray Leonzi.

The contest remained a pitchers duel for the next two and a half innings. Yale’s Mark Capell looked stellar going three innings. After allowing two runners on Chris Jenkins would relieve him and escape trouble.

In the fifth, back-t0-back strikeouts on the Sea Unicorns side would sooth the cheers of the home faithful. This was until Johnny Knox would step up to the plate, energizing Dodd Stadium once more.

Knox would reach first on an error and thanks to heads up base running, advance to second putting himself in scoring position as the go-ahead run.

Donahue, who scored the only run of the game up until now would strike again with an RBI single to right field scoring Knox. This hit would be the final blow of the game.

The pitching could not have been more perfect. Daniel Cohen, Wednesday’s semi-final starter secured the three inning one hit save.

As the ninth came around, an exciting atmosphere filled Dodd Stadium. In five pitches, the Lake Monsters where starring at two outs while the Sea Unicorns looked to deliver a championship.

Kyle Lodise stepped to the plate for Vermont, looking to collect his third hit and keep the Monsters season alive.

Ball one energized the small but steady Vermont fans who made the trip. Strike one followed by strike two from Cohen then put everyone on their feet.

A long pause, from the stretch Cohen to catcher Matt Malcom, a swing and a miss, strike three, and for the first time since 2002, a championship was back at Dodd Stadium.

Walking into Dodd Stadium Tuesday night, you where swarmed with an uneasy and nervous feeling that surrounded the haloed grounds. Game one of the playoffs was underway.

Matt Wootton was granted the nod as the starter for the Sea Unicorns after a dominant regular season. Despite only going four innings, he only surrendered one run and struck out six bees.

Wootton’s 1-2-3 start t0 the game set up the offense for a strong backup. Zach Donahue turned on a second pitch fastball, placing itself within one bounce to the left-centerfield wall. Number three batter Brennan Hyde would later drive him in with an RBI single.

Inning’s two through six would be a pitchers duel between both clubs best arms. This was until the sixth inning when New Britain would load the bases with zero outs, spelling the end for Wootton’s outing.

Wootton was then relieved by Yale pitcher Mark Capell, the Futures League pitcher of the night. Capell went three innings of one-hit ball for the win giving up one run, not earned which was a sac-fly.

Going into the seventh inning, the Bees had a slim one run lead. Heading to the bottom half, the game seemed as if it would remain a pitchers duel.

With two outs and one runner on, a 3-2 count was starring in the yes of Johnny Knox. In a flash, Knox crushed a two-run homer into the Rose City night cementing the win for Norwich.

Rising UCONN freshman Sean finn came into shut the door. Your final score, Norwich three New Britain two and a lead in the series.

The Sea Unicorns now head to New Britain as they look to clinch a championship appearance. First pitch at the hive slated for 6:35.

The 2023 Futures League season has been filled with many high’s and lows for the  Sea Unicorns. Mother nature has showed her wrath and a slow start to the season made you question if prior seasons shortcomings where coming back to haunt them.

After Sunday’s doubleheader sweep, those questions and doubts where buried at sea, as Norwich clinched the Futures League pennant in just their third season of play.

Officially clinching in game one, a 7-5 victory wasn’t the only first in the game. Both Logan Meusy and Johnny Knox waited to the final game of the regular season to collect their first home runs. Meusy’s, a three-run shot to tie the game in the fourth.

Brandon Cahill made a one game return, pitching two innings allowing one run. Matt Reyes relieved him going three innings. Despite allowing three runs and going three innings. Seven inning rules got Reyes the win prior to Payton Sutman closing the door.

Game two essentially became a throwaway game for Norwich as they had already clinched the playoffs and pennant. The Sea Unicorns had other plans.

A two run first inning and a one run seventh allowed Norwich to come away with the victory 3-1, giving the club their 39th win of the season. One and done pitcher Daniel Manente got the start going three, striking out four and allowing three hits. Westfield only run came off Jared Burrows in the fourth.

For the win and save where two unlikely hero’s for Norwich. Zach Donahue pitched two frames of one-hit ball for the win while Johnny Knox wrapped it up for Norwich with the save.

The Sea Unicorns now turn their focus to the playoffs as they look to permanently exterminate in-state foes the New Britain Bees in Game one of the playoffs Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

It has been a long ride to the top for the Norwich Sea Unicorns. Since 2020, The corns have never had a winning season until this year,

With an 11-4 victory in game one, the resumption of a suspended game and a 4-0 shutout in game two, Norwich is the first place team for now.

The Sea Unicorns batted first to start the bottom of the second up three nothing in game one scoring no runs. Jared Burrows relieved Christo Garrelts and allowed one run through four innings, a bases loaded walk.

The game went silent on both ends until the seventh inning which sent six men to the plate.

CJ Egrie continues to be hot with a two-run rbi single. Dean Ferrara would contribute with an rbi single of his own. An rbi double by Andrew Bianco would bring around both Egrie and Ferrara.

The final run of the sixth came from Ray Leonzi with an rbi single. Payton Sutman worked three innings including the ninth to secure the save for Norwich for game one.

The Sea Unicorns continued their winning ways in game two, blanking the Starfires in seven innings. Justin Marks held Wesfield to just one hit through four and two innings of work.

Brad lewis relieved him working two innings surrendering zero hits for the save. DJ Caron scored to including a double, while Matt Malcom secured his first triple since joining Norwich.

Thursday Norwich found great success on the diamond also. Caron and Egrie secured three hits and three RBI’s including one walk a piece.

The nail in the coffin for the Rox came via another six run inning like the previous night for the Sea Unicorns. Friday, Norwich was shut out by New Britain 1-0.

The Sea Unicorns are back home at Dodd tonight for Fan Appreciation Night for the final home game of the regular season before the playoffs.

After being haunted by a five and five in last ten stretch, the Sea Unicorns where able to exercise their demons with a seven inning mercy victory versus first place Worcester.

Norwich scored twice in the first few innings of the contest. In the first, Zack Kovalchik reached by error while Johnny Knox, and Dean Ferrara singled to load the bases.

With the Bravehearts pitched feeling the heat, a wild pitch was hurled over Andrew Bianco’s head to draw first blood.

Brennan Hyde would score the second run of the inning with an opposite field sac-fly. In inning two, a Joey DeMucci single and C.J Egrie walk would put runners in scoring position.

The next two batters Kovalchik and Knox would contribute with a single and putout. This brought to Corn’s ahead by a grand slam.

Blanked until the fifth inning, a massive six-run frame would put the dagger through the Braveheart.  Knox would score by a Bianco rbi single after stealing a base then advancing to third.

With the bases loaded, a hit batsman would drive in run six loading the bases for Egrie, who calls Fitton Field home being a Purple Knight.

Egrie smacked a three-run bases clearing triple to left, scoring another three in the process. Kovalchik would then score Egrie with a single adding the tenth and final run for Norwich.

On the pitching side, Mark Capell, Sean Finn, Finn Doherty and Ethan Errera combined for a three-hitter. Sean Finn secured the win going three while striking out three.  Your final score 10-0 Norwich.

The Sea Unicorns return to Dodd Stadium tonight for a doubleheader versus Westfield as they look to clinch their first playoff Berth.

In their first real test since the all-star break, Norwich was unable to shut down in-state rivals New Britain in a rare Futures League three-game set.

After Thursday’s NESN contest was suspended due to rain, the Sea Unicorns had a chance to regroup in New Britain on Friday. The game was dominated by Norwich for most of the game.

Until the eighth inning, Norwich held a slim bu firm lead of 5-3. Alistair Morin continued his dominance on the mound going five deep, allowing five hits and two earned runs. Mark Capell, a newcomer, was sharp with one inning pitched striking out two.

Dean Ferrara kept his league leading batting average up with three runs batted in and Zach Donahue contributed with two hits of his own.

The game fell from Norwich’s grace in the bottom of the eighth with a three-run homer from Bees lefty Christian Scanlon. Brian Hart came in during the top of the ninth to shutdown Norwich. Your final score Bees six, Corn’s five.

Game two, Norwich looked to get on-track at home wearing the Military Appreciation Night uniforms. Deadlocked at zero, Johnny Knox knocked a single to center for the first run of the night. Dean Ferrara would then score from a throwing error.

Saturday’s contest was then suspended till Sunday. Resuming in the top of sixth, Wootton relieved Brad Lewis, pitching the rest of the game allowing one run, a solo homer. The Corn’s took game two 2-1.

The decisive game three started thirty minutes after the conclusion of the suspended game. The Bees caught fire early scoring two runs. Norwich was able to bring the game within one in the bottom half.

After the Bees went on to score four in the sixth, Norwich attempted to come back with a three run bottom half. The game was now close with a score of 8-5.

Looking to get a shutdown inning, the Sea Unicorns called upon Robert Zawacki. A costly error became the buzz kill for the home faithful. A total of five errors where committed by the home side.

The Bees would make quick work of the Sea Unicorns in the bottom of the condensed seven inning game. The final score 9-5 and a Bees win of the doubleheader.

We now head into the last full week of the regular season as the Sea Unicorns look to clinch their first playoff berth. Home games include a doubleheader Wednesday, followed by the last Thirsty Thursday and then Fan Appreciation Night Saturday.

 

The 2023 Futures League All-Star Game in Burlington Vermont gave the guys from the Rose City a glimpse at the future and an intangible experience.

Monday night kicked off with a sold-out Centennial Field for the home run derby portion of the week. Representing Norwich was University of Rhode Island’s DJ Perron Jr.

Fresh of his undergrad four years at Umass Dartmouth, Perron is no stranger to home-runs hitting 27 in his college career.

Monday’s derby was no different. Perron would advance to the semi-finals cranking a total of 24 homers into the mountains of Vermont with two double-digit rounds.

Despite the power numbers, he would be beat out by New Britains Tyler Pettorini who would later go on to become the Derby Champ.

Day two started off with an early morning pro day showcase. Every Sea Unicorns position player All-Star participated in a 60-yard dash, followed by an infield-outfield display. Pitchers Brad Lewis, Matt Wootton, Chris Jenkins threw an eight-pitch bullpen in front of major league scouts. Alistair Morin also made the journey to participate in the showcase.

The All-Star game itself was once again in sold-out Centennial Field. Every Sea Unicorn was on the home team Lake as Johnny Knox donned the red for team Mountain. Team mountain and Johnny Knox got the win 3-1.

Norwich highlights saw Dean Ferrara get on the board with a double and walk. Andrew Bianco recorded a single for the All-Star games first hit. Brennan Hyde robbed a home-run and recorded a single along with DeMucci.

Matt Wootton and Chris Jenkins each pitched scoreless frames of work while Brad Lewis pitched well but would take the loss.

A huge thank you to the city of Burlington Vermont, the Lake Monsters and the Futures League for an incredible two day.

 

In the final game before the All-Star break, Norwich had a chance to snap its two-game skid and carry some momentum into the time off. Instead, the Sea Unicorns couldn’t jumpstart their bats and lost 4-2. 

Nashua got on the board first and tallied runs in both the second and third innings. Meanwhile, Norwich waited until the fourth to score when catcher Joey DeMucci scorched one back up the middle. The All-Star notched his sixth multi-hit game of the year and ranks second on the team in average at .362. 

The Silver Knights added another two runs in the fifth, which put the Sea Unicorns down by three. Kevin Murphy’s squad continued to fight, but also wasted a ton of opportunities. In the seventh frame, Norwich had bases loaded with one out and couldn’t score. Then, there were men on first and second with one gone. Still, nothing. The Sea Unicorns ended the day with 12 runners stranded, double Nashua’s total. 

Norwich tried to piece together a ninth inning rally, which looked promising after a leadoff walk. However, the Sea Unicorns could only get a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Brennan Hyde. An 0/4 performance extended the All-Star’s hitless streak to four contests. 

Third baseman Dean Ferrara was one of the only bright spots for Norwich. The All-Star went 3/4 and raised his league-leading average to .445. Along from DeMucci and Ferrara, shortstop Zach Donahue also had multiple knocks. The ECSU product already has three multi-hit outings in his first eight games.     

The Sea Unicorns have lost three straight and sit at 31-19, still in third place. Norwich is off until Thursday when Westfield comes to town. First pitch is set for 7:05 on NESN.