Norwich Wins Home Food Fight Against Vermont

The Norwich Sea Unicorns, who were rebranded as the New England Lobster Rolls, defeated the Vermont Creemees (Lake Monsters) 3-1, to cap off the home and home food fight. The victory for the Lobster Rolls improves Norwich to 31-18 and remain atop the Futures League standings.

There was no scoring in the ballgame until the 3^rd, when the Creemees pushed across the first run of the night. After striking out the first batter of the inning, New England starter Hector Alejandro dealt with some command trouble, hitting the next two batters he faced. Mark Quatrani continued his strong summer, driving home his league leading 33^rd RBI of the summer with a base hit into left field. The UCONN product quickly regained his form, escaping the inning without any further damage.

The Lobster Rolls responded with a run in the 4^th to draw the game even. Vermont starter, Eddie Kaftan kept the New England offense silenced through his 3 innings of work, holding the Lobster Rolls to 3 hits. Matt Fincher elected to go to the bullpen to begin the 4^th for reliever Robbie Lee. Nick Tomasetto began the threat for the host, wiring a one out base hit into right field. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for the Lobster Rolls and later Chris Carson delivered with an RBI single to bring home Tomasetto from 3^rd. Unfortunately, some confusion on the base paths resulted in the 2^nd out of the inning, as Bo Yaworski was retired. The Denison product set down the New England second baseman to conclude the Lobster Rolls chances in the 4^th.

New England continued to surge offensively in the 5^th, taking a 3-1 lead. Vermont manager, Matt Fincher summoned Dylan Knightly into the ballgame after Robbie Lee surrendered the equalizer. AJ Soldra instantly created trouble, smashing an opposite field triple into the left fielder corner. A wild pitch by Knightly provided the host with their first lead of the night. A pair of hit batsmen allowed New England a pair of baserunners with one out. A slow grounder to 3^rd advanced both baserunners 90 feet. Bo Yaworski supplied some insurance for the Lobster Rolls, legging out an infield single to give New England a 2-run advantage.

Hector Alejandro turned in another quality start, firing 6 innings of 1-run baseball. The Waterbury, Connecticut native continued his dominance on the rubber, holding the Vermont offense to just 3 hits. Alejandro set a season-high in strikeouts as he punched out 9, including striking out the side in the 1^st.

The Lobster Rolls had opportunities to extend their lead throughout the night, but failed to score with runners in scoring position. New England’s best chances occurred in the 6^th and 8^th when they loaded the bases. Vermont pitching struggled with command throughout the night, issuing 9 free passes, plunking a pair, along with a wild pitch.

The bullpen slammed the door shut allowing, just 1 hit in the final 3 innings. Jimmy Mulvaney sealed the deal for the Lobster Rolls on Food Fight night, completing a 5 out save. The Fairfield product worked around some traffic in the 8^th to record the final 2 outs and struck out the side in the 9^th to earn his 6^th save of the summer.

These same two teams will clash once again this afternoon to conclude the home and home series. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST.

It is Sunday Funday at Dodd Stadium with postgame Kids Run the Bases and Have a Catch in the Outfield with their families. Baseballs for have a catch are presented by CT DOT. Sundays are also our First Mate’s Club Days presented by K&H Equipment of Plainfield.

Win- Hector Alejandro (5-0)

Loss- Dylan Knightly (1-1)

Save- Jimmy Mulvaney (6)

Time- 3:01

On Thursday evening in Burlington, VT, the Norwich Sea Unicorns and Vermont Lake Monsters picked up Wednesday’s suspended game and then played Thursday’s regularly scheduled game. Each team picked up a victory on the day, leaving the Sea Unicorns holding onto their first place position in the Futures League standings.

When the first game started on Wednesday, the Sea Unicorns got off to a hot start as Kaiden Dossa led off the game with a double and advanced to third on a groundout by Trey Porter. AJ Soldra walked and then stole second to put runners at second and third. Cleanup hitter Shaun Callahan then stroked a home run to right field to give the Sea Unicorns a quick 3-0 lead. Vermont threatened in the bottom of the first when starter Tim Lewis allowed two straight one out walks and a single to load the bases.Lewis fought through it, striking out Owen McKiernan and inducing a groundout by Jack Rickheim to escape with no runs scoring.

The Sea Unicorns would strike again in the second inning as newcomer Aydan McNelly singled in his first Norwich at bat and moved to second on an Aidan Baglino walk. McNelly would move to third on a flyout by Anthony Tirado and then score on a sacrifice fly by Kaiden Dossa. The Sea Unicorns would continue to threaten but were unable to add any further runs.

The Sea Unicorns continued their hot offense to start the third as Shaun Callahan walked and would move to third on a single by Nick Tomasetto. Following a lake Monsters pitching change, Alex Irizarry would step to the plate and take a couple pitches before the rains came down, forcing the game to be suspended. When the game resumed on Thursday, Irizarry would walk to load the bases. McNelly singled to score Callahan and the Sea Unicorns were once again off and running. After baglino struck out for the first out of the inning, Tirado singled to score Tomasetto to make it 6-0. With 2 outs, Porter cam through with a two run single that scored Irizarry and Mcnelly. Vermont would threaten in the bottom of the third, placing runners on the corners with one out, but new pitcher Michael Belcher would escape the inning with zero runs scored, inducing a groundout that he handled himself and then striking out McKiernan to end the threat.

The Sea Unicorns offense would go quiet for the remainder of the game, but it did not matter. Vermont would score a run in the fourth inning against Belcher. A lead off single by Rickheim, followed by a one out single by Tommy Googins, a walk by Dante Pozzi to load the bases, and a sac fly by Tyler Favretto would get the lake Monsters on the board. Bryson Plante started the fifth inning on the mound for the Sea Unicorns. A lead off walk by Jackson Sirois, a single by Joey Gale, and a walk by McKiernan loaded the bases for Vermont. a wild pitch allowed Sirois to score and Rickheim followed with a double to score Gale and McKiernan, cutting the Sea Unicorns lead to 8-4. David Rodriguez would take over on the mound and steady the ship. Rodriguez struck out Jake Gaudreau and Googins before inducing a groundout by Pozzi to end the threat.

The Sea Unicorns and Lake Monsters played scoreless, uneventful baseball for the next three innings, with Rodriguez pitching three innings of one hit, no run baseball before giving way to Mike Poncini in the eighth. The Sea Unicorns would threaten but not score in the ninth, before Poncini would close the game out with his second 1, 2, 3 inning. Rodriguez earned the win while Luke Parise took the loss for Vermont.

In the nightcap, a game changed to 7 innings according to Futures League rules, Sea Unicorns starter Vincent Borghese and Lake Monsters starter Brody Shawn locked into an early pitcher’s duel. Through the first two innings, the game remained scoreless with little traffic on the base paths. In the top of the third, Norwich threatened with two runners and one out before Brody escaped the inning with another donut on the line score. The Lake Monsters would get to Borghese in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs on two hits and a Norwich error.

The Sea Unicorns cut into the Vermont lead in the fourth, as Antonio Ducatelli started the inning with a walk and jack Sweeney reached on an error. Chris Carson singled to score Ducatelli and Norwich looked to be in business. Shawn would settle down, however, striking out McNelly, then allowing a single by Owen Turner to load the bases, and then getting Tirado to strike out and Sturino to pop out to the third baseman in foul territory right at the wall to end the threat. This would prove pivotal as the Sea Unicorns began to unravel in the bottom of the fourth. A groundout and a walk to start the inning would end the night for Borghese and bring in Gio Conte. A sacrifice for out number two gave the Sea Unicorsn hope to get out of the inning unscathed, however, Wyatt Patchett singled to score a run, Favretto reached on an error to score another run, Sam Cavossa singled to score another run and two straight hit batters ended Conte’s outing. Tiernan Powers took over and hit another batter to force in the lake Monsters fourth run of the inning. When all was said and done in the fourth, the Lake Monsters led 6-2.

The bottom of the fifth saw the Lake Monsters add to their lead as Loe marini led off with a single and Jesse McCullough was hit by a pitch before Patchett fouled out and Favretto flew out. Just when it looked as though the Sea Unicorns would escape the jam, Cavossa was walked to load the bases and Mark Quatrani was hit by yet another pitch to force in a run.

After a quiet sixth inning, the Sea Unicorns were looking for a comeback in the seventh. a leadoff walk by Christian Stratis, a single by Ducatelli and a walk by Jack Sweeney loaded the bases and had Norwich feeling good about their chances. Chris Carson grounded out to score Stratis, a play Vermont would certainly take in that situation. With runners at second and third, MD Conner, making his first appearance since an injury at Worcester several weeks back, hit a sinking liner in the infield that was snared just before hitting the ground, allowing Vermont to double off the runner from second base to end the threat and the game.

Brody earned the win for Vermont, while Borghese took the loss for Norwich.

These two teams will meet once again this evening at Centennial Field in Vermont before both teams come to Dodd Stadium in Norwich this weekend. Tonight and Saturday’s games will feature each teams alter egos as Vermont becomes the Cremees and Norwich becomes the New England Lobster Rolls. Tonight’s Food Fight begins at 6:35pm.

Norwich Wins 4^th Straight, Heads into All-Star Break on Winning Note

The Norwich Sea Unicorns continued their dominating stretch, winning their 4^th straight on Sunday. Norwich has now won 9 of their last 10 after posting a 7-5 victory on the road against New Britain. The road victory for Norwich improves the Sea Unicorns to 29-16 heading into the All-Star Break atop the league standings.

It was a rocky start for Norwich, as the Bees jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the 2^nd. New Britain struck for 4 runs in the home 2nd, recording 4 hits and taking advantage of an error committed by the Sea Unicorns defense. Norwich starter, Justin Marks also dealt with command trouble, issuing a pair of walks and a wild pitch in the frame. The first two batters for New Britain reached base safely to give New Britain a pair of baserunners. Marks struck out the next batter he faced for his 1^st out. A base hit by Scott Gell produced the first run of the afternoon for the host. Next, an error by the pitcher extended the lead for New Britain to 2. Later in the inning, a 2 out base hit by Justin Hackett increased the lead for the Bees to 4.

Norwich responded with a pair of runs in the 3^rd to slice the lead for New Britain in half. Michael Oates and Chris Carson began the frame for Norwich with a pair of base knocks. Immediately, the Sea Unicorns were in business with runners stationed at the corners. A stolen base for Carson provided the Sea Unicorns with a pair of runners in scoring position. Trey Porter delivered with a one out base hit to drive home Oates and Carson. Norwich continued to threaten, loading the bases with one out, but unfortunately an inning-ending double play ended the hopes for Norwich in the 3^rd.

The ballgame remained 4-2 until the 6^th when Norwich struck for a pair of runs to even the scoring at 4. Anthony Tirado made the action happen for the Sea Unicorns after reaching on a fielder’s choice. The shortstop stole 2^nd and later swiped 3^rd with 2 outs. After ball 4 was ruled to Oates, Tirado broke for the plate and made it home safely to bring Norwich within a run. Next, Chris Carson drew a walk and New Britain elected to make a pitching change with 2 on and 2 away. Bo Yaworski delivered in the clutch for Norwich, punching an opposite field base hit into left field to bring home the tying run.

The Sea Unicorns continued to roll in the 7th, adding a trio of runs to take their first lead of the afternoon. Norwich did all their damage with a pair of outs, recording 3 straight hits. Connor Lane began the frame being hit with a pitch and later took second on a wild pitch. Nick Tomasetto drew a one out walk and quickly Norwich had a pair of base runners. Anthony Tirado gave the Sea Unicorns the lead on a base hit to center field, scoring Connor Lane. After Tirado’s go-ahead base hit, New Britain brought in a new reliever. The offense for Norwich continued to make noise, as AJ Soldra struck for a pinch-hit RBI single and Chris Carson followed with a base hit of his own to help Norwich take a 7-4 lead.

New Britain closed the gap with a run in the 8th, but that would be the closest the Bees would come.

The bullpen for Norwich was dominant in the winning effort, allowing just 1 run in the final 7 innings. Norwich’s bullpen held the New Britain offense to 5 scattered hits while striking out 9. Jimmy Mulvaney earned the victory, allowing no earned runs in 2 innings of relief and punched out 4. Gavin Hawkes secured the win for Norwich completing a 4-out save.

Norwich is back in action on Wednesday, following the All-Star break, to begin a stretch of 5-consecutive games against the Vermont Lake Monsters. First pitch on Wednesday is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. EST. from Centennial Field.

Win- Jimmy Mulvaney (1-1)

Loss- James Morice (2-1)

Save- Gavin Hawkes (1)

Time- 3:06

Hector Alejandro Tosses First No Hitter in Sea Unicorns History

It was Hector Alejandro’s night at Dodd Stadium on Saturday, spinning the first no-hitter in the history of the Norwich Sea Unicorns. The Waterbury, Connecticut native helped Norwich to their 8th win in their last 9 contests, taking down Worcester 3-1. Norwich resides atop the Futures League standings, holding a record of 28-16.

There was no scoring in the ballgame until the 5th inning when Worcester grabbed a 1-0 lead. Hector Alejandro had a perfect game cruising into the frame, until he plunked the leadoff batter to provide Worcester with their first baserunner of the night. Next, Max D’Alessandro reached on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error by the Norwich shortstop allowed the Bravehearts traffic in scoring position. The UCONN product induced a pop up to the third baseman to retire the first out in the inning. A sacrifice fly produced the first run of the night for the visitors and Alejandro punched out the next batter he faced to end the frame.

Norwich immediately punched back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-1 lead. Alex Irizarry continued his surge at the plate, punching a one out base hit into right field. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Norwich. Next, Bo Yaworski scorched a ground ball to the Worcester first baseman who sprawled out to keep the ball in the infield to retire Sturino at second, but helped Norwich level the scoring, bringing home Irizarry from 3rd. The Sea Unicorns took the lead on a wild pitch from reliever Jake LeFrancois.

In the 6th, Norwich extended their lead to 2, taking advantage of some command trouble from reliever Mitch Hawkins. The Sacred Heart product hit Connor Lane with one out and later a wild pitch advanced Lane 90 feet. Nick Tomasetto cracked through once again, lining a single into left field to give Norwich runners at the corners. Shaun Callahan supplied some insurance for Norwich with his sacrifice fly to steer home Lane from 3rd.

Hector Alejandro allowed just one baserunner for Worcester the rest of the way, issuing a 2 out walk in the 9th. After a quick meeting at the mound, the right-hander retired Owen Pincince on a ground out to short to seal the deal on a historic night at Dodd Stadium. Alejandro completed his night striking out 5 and needing just 86 pitches.

The no-hitter is the second complete game no-no in Futures League history. In the 30 year history of Dodd Stadium, Alejandro’s magical night appears to be the first no hitter thrown by the team that calls Dodd Stadium home. The Norwich Navigators and Connecticut Defenders never threw a no hitter during their time at Dodd Stadium from 1995-2009. The Connecticut Tigers (which became the Sea Unicorns just before losing affiliation status and joining the Futures League) threw a combined no hitter in Tri City in 2019. The Navigators were no hit by their opponents twice (1996 and 1999), however, Baseball Reference does not list where those respective games were played. There has been at least one no hitter at Dodd Stadium in high School baseball action over the years.

The Sea Unicorns are back in action this afternoon for a meeting with the New Britain Bees. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST from New Britain Stadium.

Win- Hector Alejandro (4-0)

Loss- Jake LeFrancois (1-1)

Time- 1:57

Late-Inning Offensive Explosion Leads Norwich to Lopsided Victory in Worcester

The Norwich Sea Unicorns erupted for 16 runs in the final 2 innings to secure a Friday night victory in Worcester. It is the first time Norwich has won on the road this summer against Worcester and they have now won 7 of their last 8 ballgames. Norwich’s lopsided victory improves the Sea Unicorns to 27-16 and atop the Futures League Standings.

It was a pitcher’s duel at Fitton Field through 6 innings as the ballgame was scoreless. Worcester starter Brady Stuart held the Norwich offense to just 4 hits over 6 shutout innings while striking out 8. The Endicott product has now lowered his ERA to 0.25 through 36.2 innings this summer.

Teo Spadaccini was lights out for Norwich after working around a bases loaded jam in the 1^st due to some early command trouble. Spadaccini held the Worcester offense hitless through 4 innings. The only baserunner that reached after the 1^st was on an error committed by the Norwich shortstop in the 3^rd.

Mike Poncini and Luke Cardman tossed scoreless 5^th and 6^th innings to keep the ballgame scoreless for Norwich through 6. Poncini navigated around a pair of walks issued in the 5^th and for Cardman the only blemish was a leadoff single to begin the 6^th.

After being blanked through 6 frames, the Norwich offense came to roaring to life in the 7^th, erupting for 10 runs. In the inning Norwich sent 14 batters to the plate collecting 8 hits and drew 4 walks. Worcester needed 3 different relievers to make it through the frame. Christian Stratis kickstarted the offense for Norwich, poking a triple down the line in right. A walk to Alex Irizarry provided Norwich runners on the corners and ultimately Aidan Baglino got Norwich on the board with a base hit to left field. The Bravehearts elected to make a pitching change after Nick Coniglio failed to record an out. Unfortunately for Josh Fischer, there was no stopping the Norwich offense, as he was only able to record one out, forcing Alex Dion to summon a 3^rd reliever. The biggest blow came off the bat of Alex Irizarry who crushed a 3-run home run over the wall in right field.

Norwich continued to rumble in the 8^th inning, adding 6 more runs on 4 hits and took advantage of an error committed by the Worcester defense. Kaiden Dossa began the frame wiring a base hit to left field for his 3^rd hit of the ballgame. Alex Irrizary continued his big night, smashing a double to the wall in right field to bring home a pair of runs. The Tolland, CT native finished his night with 5 RBIs. Overall, 6 different starters finished with multi-hit efforts, headlined by Shaun Callahan and Bo Yaworski, who each finished with 4-hit performances.

David Rodriguez and Kaden Murphy preserved the shutout for Norwich. Rodriguez tossed a scoreless 7^th and Murphy followed with a scoreless 8^th. Overall, the Sea Unicorns pitching staff held the Worcester offense to just 2 hits. Both hits for the host were recorded by their catcher Dylan LaPointe.

Norwich is back at home tonight to wrap up the home and home series with the Worcester Bravehearts. The Saturday Night Entertainment series continues tonight at Dodd Stadium at the Hole In The Wall Bar on the first base concourse starting at 4:30 with live music featuring Cody Bondra presented by Yale New Haven Health and L & M Hospital. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.

Win- Luke Cardman (1-0)

Loss- Nick Coniglio (1-3)

Time- 2:31

The Norwich Sea Unicorns returned to their winning ways on Thursday night, taking down the Road Warriors 4-2. Norwich has now won 6 of their last 7 contests and stand alone atop the Futures League standings, holding a record of 26-16.

The Sea Unicorns drew first blood in the home first, grabbing an early 1-0 lead. Kaiden Dossa extended his hitting streak to 5, cracking a leadoff single into right field out of the reach of the Road Warriors second baseman. The Yale product quickly advanced into scoring position after swiping second base. AJ Soldra continued his All-Star campaign, driving home Dossa courtesy of a double down the line in right field. Road Warriors starter Christopher Lowe received some help from his battery mate Tommy Goonan, who threw out a pair of base runners in the 1^st to help escape the frame with minimal damage.

Connor Lane extended the lead for the host in the 4^th inning, smashing a leadoff home run to left field. Lane’s solo blast provided Norwich with a 2-0 lead. The home run for the Norwich DH is his 1st round tripper of the summer, and the 12^th for Norwich as a team.

The Road Warriors responded with a pair of runs in the 6^th to even the scoring after failing to produce with the bases loaded in the 5^th. Norwich starter Vincent Borghese escaped trouble in the previous frame, navigating around a one out bases loaded threat. The visitors loaded the bases thanks to three singles. Borghese responded with a strikeout of the Road Warriors catcher, and later a diving catch by center fielder Kaiden Dossa preserved the lead for Norwich.

In the 6^th inning, the Road Warriors offense came to life, breaking up the shutout. Carter Bentley began the inning with a leadoff base hit and later advanced into scoring position after stealing second. A one out base hit by Joe Muzio cut the Norwich lead in half and ended the night for Borghese. Norwich elected to make a call to the bullpen for reliever Ryan O’Connell. Unfortunately, a pair of wild pitches by the 6’6 right-hander brought home the tying run. The Quinnipiac product quickly found his form, striking out a pair to keep the ballgame knotted at 2.

Once again, the Sea Unicorns used some 8^th inning magic to propel their way to a victory. Owen Turner began the home 8^th by dumping a single into center field. A fielder’s choice groundout moved the Norwich catcher 90 feet. Kaiden Dossa delivered the go-ahead marker for the Sea Unicorns clobbering, his 1^st triple of the summer to the wall in left. Lane provided some insurance for Norwich with his 2^nd RBI of the night on a sacrifice fly to center field.

Michael Belcher secured the victory for Norwich, firing 3 innings of shutout baseball. The bullpen for Norwich held the Road Warriors offense to just one hit over the final 3.2 innings. Overall, the bullpen fanned 7 including 5 from Belcher. The victory for the Prospect, CT native is his 1^st of the summer and has now lowered his ERA to 3.68 this summer.

The Sea Unicorns are back in action tonight to begin a home and home series with the Worcester Bravehearts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST from Fitton Field.

Win- Michael Belcher (1-0)

Loss- Aidan ODonnell (2-2)

Time- 2:07

Sea Unicorns Winning Streak Snapped at 5 games

The Norwich Sea Unicorns dropped their Wednesday matinee meeting with the New Britain Bees, falling 11-2. Norwich’s defeat moves the Sea Unicorns into a tie with the Bees atop the Futures League standings, each holding a record of 25-16.

There was no scoring until the 3^rd inning when the visitors erupted for 5 runs against Norwich starter Timothy Lewis. The University of New Haven product escaped trouble in the first 2 innings unscathed before New Britain took control in the 3^rd. In the inning, New Britain smashed 3 of their 4 hits for doubles, drew a pair of walks, and capitalized on an error committed by the Norwich defense.

New Britain continued to roll offensively, striking for a pair more in the 4^th to extend their lead to 7. After allowing the first 2 batters to reach base safely, Norwich elected to make a pitching change for Liam Carroll with a pair of runners in scoring position. A wild pitch from Carroll produced the 6^th run of the afternoon for New Britain. Later in the frame, a throwing error by the Sea Unicorns catcher that spilled into center field allowed the 2^nd run of the inning to cross.

Despite some early command trouble, Carroll quickly settled down for Norwich, tossing 5 scoreless innings. The south paw was dominant in relief punching out 6 while allowing just 3 scattered hits. Carroll has now lowered his season ERA to 1.90 across 23.2 innings worked this summer.

All the offense for Norwich came in the 7^th and 8^th, adding a run in each frame to cut the New Britain lead to 5. Unfortunately, that would be all the offense Norwich would receive in the ballgame. Jack Sweeney broke up the shutout the Bees were holding in the 7^th with a one out double to the wall in left field. The Rutgers product later came around to score via a passed ball after advancing to 3^rd on a ground ball to second base. Norwich plated a run in the 8^th thanks to a pair of base hits and a sacrifice fly by Anthony Tirado to right field. Unfortunately, what looked to be a promising inning for Norwich ended abruptly after Nick Sturino got caught in a run down between second and third following Chris Carson’s pinch hit single to right.

The Bees responded in the 9^th with 4 runs to put the game out of reach. Norwich elected to use position players Trey Porter and Anthony Tirado to close out the afternoon due to a pitching shortage following Tuesday’s doubleheader sweep against Westfield.

Norwich will look to get back on track tonight in a meeting against the Road Warriors. It is Thirsty Thursday at Dodd Stadium with specials on Narragansett presented by The Famous Narragansett Beer Company. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.