Norwich Overcomes 7-Run Deficit with Stunning Comeback Against Rox

The Norwich Sea Unicorns rallied from a 7-run deficit to defeat the Brockton Rox 9-8 last night. Norwich is now tied for 2nd with the New Britain Bees in the Futures League standings holding a record of 18-12 through 30 games.

Norwich took an early lead in the 2nd, striking for a run against Brockton starter Ryan Maiorano. Peter Link started the offense for the visitors, wiring a one out base hit to left field and later found himself in scoring position after swiping his first stolen base of the summer. Link advanced 90 feet on a flyout to right field and was driven home thanks to Scott Penney’s 1st hit and RBI as a Sea Unicorn in his first plate appearance delivering a single into right field.

The early lead for Norwich quickly evaporated in the home 2nd after Brockton came roaring back. Brockton’s offense came to life surging for 5 runs on 2 hits. A costly error by the Sea Unicorns first baseman helped produce the 1st run of the game for Brockton and allowed the fourth consecutive batter to reach base safely. Norwich starter, David Rodriguez finally was able to record his first out in the inning with a strikeout before Dante Leach smashed a bases clearing double to give the Rox a 3-1 lead. The scoring continued for the host on a fielder’s choice groundout and finished on the 2nd wild pitch fired by Rodriguez in the inning. Brockton’s 5-run 2nd inning ended the night for the Norwich starter who finished his night allowing just 3 earned runs on 3 hits, along with 3 walks and struck out 3.

Norwich turned to reliever Bryson Plante to stop further bleeding and help keep Norwich within reach. Plante who had not appeared in a game for Norwich since June 2nd was dominant in his 3rd outing of the summer. The Central Connecticut State product tossed 4 innings of shutout baseball and held the Brockton offense to 2 hits.

Unfortunately, the offense for Brockton did not stay quiet for long. The Rox came to life in the home 7th adding 3 runs to increase their lead to 7 over Norwich. Brockton did all their damage with a pair of outs and once again took advantage of blunders by the Sea Unicorn defense. The aggressive base running for Brockton paid off as the Norwich catcher’s throw to the 3rd base bag to pick off the Brockton baserunner went sailing into left field leading to the 6th run of the night. Brockton’s middle of the order was troublesome for Sea Unicorns reliever Callen Powers loading the bases. A 2 out RBI single to left helped Brockton take an 8-1 lead.

Trailing 8-1 entering the 8th inning, Norwich displayed incredible resilience erupting for 8-runs to take a 9-8 lead. The Sea Unicorns took advantage of 4 errors committed by the Brockton defense and command trouble from Brockton reliever Ben Waterman who issued 3 walks in the inning. Antonio Ducatelli who drew a one-out walk to start the rally for Norwich completed the comeback for the Sea Unicorns with a 2-out RBI single to center field scoring AJ Soldra and Aidan Baglino to give Norwich a 9-8 lead. Christian Stratis also shined for Norwich collecting 3 hits and a pair of RBIs to raise his batting average to .353 on the summer. Stratis now has 17 RBIs on the season, which ranks 2nd on the team behind Brennan Hyde.

Giovanni Conte slammed the door shut to secure the come from behind victory for Norwich. The UCONN product recorded 6 outs to earn his 3rd save of the summer and allowed just 1 hit while striking out 3. Conte now has 18 punchouts in 14.2 innings of work compared to 3 walks.

Norwich is back in action tonight for an Independence Day Celebration at Dodd Stadium with postgame fireworks by American Fireworks presented by Liberty Bank. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST as the Sea Unicorns host the Nashua Silver Knights.