Sea Unicorns Power Their Way to Saturday Night Victory

Burlington, VT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns were victorious in extra-innings 12-9 on Saturday, taking the first 2 games of the 3-game weekend series against the Lake Monsters. Norwich is now 17-20 overall and are back in playoff positioning, leapfrogging the New Britain Bees for 4th place in the Futures League standings.

Norwich began the ballgame with 3-straight singles against Lake Monsters starter Matt Higgins to take an early 1-0 lead. Aidan Stern singled up the middle, followed by Gavin O’Brien who dumped a base hit into left field to give Norwich runners at the corners. Kenny Noe produced the game’s first run on an infield single to score Stern. Despite the rocky start, Higgins managed to limit the damage to the one run thanks to a double play and a strikeout to end the Norwich threat.

Norwich extended the lead to a pair in the 2nd thanks to Joe Durso, who cracked a one out double to left field. A wild pitch advanced the Sea Unicorns catcher to 3rd and he later scored on a groundball to 3rd.

Vermont answered in the bottom half striking for 3 runs on 4 hits against Norwich starter Matt Wootton. Tyler Harmony lifted off the Vermont offense with a one out RBI single into right field to plate Hunter Kingsbury. Tommy Popoff gave Vermont the lead crushing a bases clearing double to center field.

The Sea Unicorns responded immediately with a run in the 3rd to even the scoring at 3 apiece. Aidan Stern jumpstarted the Norwich attack reaching on an infield single and later advanced into scoring position by swiping 2nd. An error from the Vermont catcher allowed the Trinity product to take 3rd and he was later brought home on a ringing double from Gavin O’Brien.

Norwich grabbed the lead in the 4th thanks again to Aidan Stern who smacked a 2 out double to right field to drive home Joey Erace.

The Norwich lead did not survive long as Vermont tied the game at 4 with a run of their own in the home half. Tommy Popoff delivered once again for the host with his 2nd double of the night to score Harmony, who singled earlier in the frame.

In the 5th, Norwich flexed their muscles, belting a pair of homeruns against Lake Monsters reliever Blake McLaughlin to build a 7-4 lead. Norwich did all their damage with 2 outs as Jack Sweeney homered for the second time this summer to give Norwich a 5-4 advantage. Next, Joe Durso worked a walk, and Ryan Thompson continued the power surge, clobbering a 2-run homerun to stretch the Norwich lead to 3.

Norwich added insurance in the 6th to increase their lead to 4. Jack Sweeney continued to display his power, ripping a 2 out double to left field to score CJ Nolan.

The Lake Monsters cut into the Norwich lead in the home 6th, striking for a pair of runs, trimming the Norwich lead to 2. Sam Cavossa ignited the Vermont offense with a leadoff triple and scored on the play thanks to an error from the Norwich shortstop. Later, a one out double from Hunter Kingsbury plated Nolan Colby, who singled earlier in the frame. Sea Unicorns reliever Cam Thomas mitigated any further damage, escaping a bases loaded jam.

Vermont continued their comeback effort in the late innings, rallying for a run in the 7th and 8th to even the score at 8.

With the game tied at 8, extra innings were needed to decide a winner. Norwich wasted no time in the 10th, erupting for four runs to seize a commanding 12 to 8 lead. Gavin O’Brien sparked the rally with an infield single, giving the Sea Unicorns runners at first and second. CJ Nolan delivered the go-ahead blow, ripping a double down the left field line to score Aidan Stern, who began the inning as the automatic runner. Lake Monsters reliever Sean Gamble struggled with command, walking Connor Scanlan before uncorking a wild pitch that brought home O’Brien. Clay Hartje then delivered the dagger with a two out bases clearing double to score Nolan and Scanlan and break the game open.

Sean Connolly secured the victory, working 2 innings with no earned runs. The lone run that crossed the plate was the automatic runner.

Aidan Stern earned league recognition for his big day offensively, being named Futures League Player of the Night. Stern finished the night with 4 hits including a pair of doubles and stole his team leading 13th base of the summer in the winning effort.

Win – Sean Connolly (1-0)

Loss – Sean Gamble (0-2)

Time – 3:47

Norwich will go for the series sweep this afternoon against Vermont. Hector Alejandro (0-0) will take the mound for Norwich opposite Jack Kelleher (3-0). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. from Centennial Field.

Written by Adam Plager