Huge Win In New Britain Moves Sea Unicorns Closer To PLayoff Berth

New Britain, CT -The Sea Unicorns get a crucial road win against their Nutmeg State rivals, outlasting the New Britain Bees 6-3 on Saturday night.

Defensively, Norwich shined again early with a fantastic relay throw to the plate in the first inning. After Michael Olender singled to reach base safely with two outs, a George Slauson double looked like it was going to score the first run of the game. However, a great throw from Taylor Kaufman to CJ Nolan set up another great throw to the plate to get the out and escape the inning unscathed. 

However, the Bees would still strike first in the second. After a walk and single put two on with one out, James Fagnant rocked an RBI single to break the scoreless tie. 

The Sea Unicorns would answer quickly with some slugger power, as Kenny Noe ripped a two-RBI home run over the left field wall to give Norwich a 2-1 lead. 

Matt Tabet’s day would come to an end in the fourth, as he would be pulled with two on base and nobody out. Alex D’Ambrosio came in for cleanup duty, and quickly got the first out. However, a New Britain double steal would tie the game before a wild pitch gave the Bees a 3-2 lead. 

Down one run, the Sea Unicorns came alive in the sixth inning. A leadoff double and Kaufman HBP put two on immediately with nobody out. After a flyout, Jack Treat knocked a single to load the bases. New Britain would then begin to have some blunders with their pitching, as a wild pitch scored the tying run before a David Pengel HBP loaded the bases once again. During the very next at-bat, a passed ball would score Kaufman to give Norwich back the lead up 4-3. 

Insurance would come in clutch from the offense in the eighth inning. With Noe on first and two out in the frame, Michael Fiatarone rocketed an RBI triple to score the fifth run of the game. On the next play, Jackson Powers slapped an RBI single down the right field line to put Norwich up 6-3. 

Norwich’s bullpen continued to shine, being lights out for the rest of the game following Tabet’s removal and D’Ambrosio escaping the early jam. Sean Connolly, Peter Glidden, Adam Carpenter, and Shaun Flannery combined for five scoreless innings with only three hits and five strikeouts.

The Bees didn’t go down without a fight in the ninth, jumping on Flannery early. Back-to-back singles from Tim Hennig and Dylan Swarts put the tying run to the plate with nobody out. After getting Fagnant to flyout, New Britain subbed in Amato Civitello to pinch hit. However, the move wouldn’t matter, as he would hit into a double play to end the ballgame and give the Sea Unicorns a much needed victory for playoff implications.

The team is now even at 26-26 on the year, currently good for the fourth and final playoff spot in the standings. They are now 4.5 games up on the fifth place Nashua Silver Knights and only a half game behind the Worcester Bravehearts for third place. 

The Sea Unicorns will be able to rest on Sunday with a much needed day off. Then, the team will head to Nashua to take on the Silver Knights for a huge matchup on Monday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:03 p.m. E.T.

Win – Sean Connolly (1-1)

Loss – Dominic Carollo (2-3)

Save – Shaun Flannery (5)

Time – 2:42

Written by Mark Benway

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Tuesday, August 4th vs New Britain Bees @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)

Buy One, Get One Tickets!

It’s the last BOGO Tuesday of the season! Purchase any seating bowl ticket and receive a 2nd ticket of equal or lesser value free. Free ticket valid only for the same game.

Wednesday, August 5th vs Westfield Starfires @ 4:00pm (gates open at 3:00)

Midweek Ballpark Bundle

It’s doubleheader action in the last week of the regular season, meaning it’s your last chance to get the Midweek Ballpark Bundle! Fans can purchase a premium seat and two hot dogs for just $15.