Sea Unicorns Ride Fast Start to Victory Over Nashua

Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns were victorious on Wednesday night to begin the month of July, picking up a critical 6-4 victory over the Nashua Silver Knights. Norwich’s victory improves the Sea Unicorns to 12-17 through 29 ballgames.

Norwich went to work immediately, striking for 3 runs in the 1st against Nashua starter Nate Kelleher-Mochak, who was making his 3rd start of the summer against the Sea Unicorns. Charlie Walsh jumpstarted the Norwich attack with a leadoff double down the left field line, followed by back-to-back singles from Bryce Detwiler and Aidan Stern. Detwiler’s base hit to left field brought home the first run of the night for Norwich. The offense continued to rally with 2 outs, as Gavin O’Brien lined a single into center to score Detwiler, and Anthony Tirado delivered an RBI single of his own back up the middle to plate Ryan Thompson. The 3 runs and 5 hits in the opening frame is a season best for the Norwich offense and ended the night early for Kelleher-Mochak, who did not survive beyond the inning.

Nashua cut into the Norwich lead in the 2nd,thanks to 3 straight 1 out hits of their own, against Norwich starter Landon Manzi. Nigel Sebastianelli kickstarted the visitors offense with an infield single, followed by a Jack Balcer infield knock of his own. River Hart produced the first run of the night for Nashua with a ringing RBI double to the left center field alley. Despite surrendering a run, Manzi bounced back with consecutive strikeouts to end the Silver Knights rally without further damage.

Norwich answered immediately with a run of their own in the home 2nd to restore their 3-run lead. Charlie Walsh once again ignited the Sea Unicorns offense with a leadoff single into left field. A stolen base advanced Walsh into scoring position and he later advanced to 3rd on a grounder to 1st. Nashua reliever Rob Gilchrist allowed Walsh to score on a 2 out wild pitch, marking the first earned run he has allowed all summer.

Nashua threatened in the 3rd, loading the bases thanks to 3 straight singles. However, Landon Manzi recovered to escape the frame unscathed thanks to back-to-back strikeouts and a flyout to center field.

The Sea Unicorns added some insurance in the 3rd to increase their lead to 4. Connor Scanlan started the inning with a base hit to center field. Gavin O’Brien kept the line moving with a base hit back up the middle. CJ Nolan delivered in the clutch for Norwich, wiring a 2 out single into left field to score Scanlan from 3rd after Nashua turned a 4-6-3 double play.

The visitors once again responded with a run in the following frame to trim the Norwich lead back to 3. River Hart opened the 4th crushing a double against Norwich reliever Jack Novak. Later, a dropped third strike allowed Hart to advance to 3rd and Chase Roberts to reach. A wild pitch from Novak brought home Hart. The Westfield State product managed to battle his way out of the inning without further damage.

The hosts manufactured their final run of the night in the home 4th, marking the first time all summer the Sea Unicorns have collected runs in each of the first 4 innings. Nashua reliever Brennan Rumpf shutdown the Norwich offense in the final 5 innings, holding the Norwich offense to 1 hit while striking out 6.

Nashua added runs in the 5th and 6th to cut the Norwich lead to 6-4. In the 5th, the Silver Knights immediately loaded the bases after Jake Haarde cranked a leadoff double followed by a pair of free passes issued by Novak. With the bases loaded and no outs, Norwich elected to make a pitching change for Nick West, who managed to limit the Nashua offense to one run on a 1 out sacrifice fly.

The Silver Knights added their final run of the night in the 6th after blasting back-to-back doubles from Cole Patterson and Patrick Shrake. Nick West bounced back with 3 straight strikeouts to end the Nashua threat.

Eric Mathewson shutdown the Silver Knights offense over the final 3 innings to earn his first save of the summer. The Eastern Connecticut State product tossed his best outing of the summer, not allowing a single hit from the Nashua offense while racking up 5 strikeouts.

Win – Nick West (1-0)

Loss – Nate Kelleher Mochak (1-3)

Save – Eric Mathewson (S,1)

Time – 3:07

Norwich is back in action tonight to conclude the home and home series with the Nashua Silver Knights. Frank Spirito (0-0) will take the mound for Norwich, opposite Justin Dressler (1-2) of Nashua. First pitch is scheduled for 6pm from Holman Stadium.