Sea Unicorns Fall Short in Home Run Derby Loss, Losing Streak Reaches 6

Westfield, MA – The Norwich Sea Unicorns came up just short Sunday afternoon, falling to the Westfield Starfires in the Home Run Derby. With the loss Norwich has now dropped 6 straight and own a record of 26-30 entering the final week of the regular season.

Westfield opened the scoring in the 1st against Norwich starter Bryce Detwiler to take an early 1-0 lead. Cole Silvia ignited the Starfires offense with a leadoff infield single, stole second, and advanced to third on a balk. Later, a one out error by the Norwich shortstop allowed the first run of the afternoon come home to score.

Norwich responded in the 4th, striking for three runs against Westfield starter Brendan Murphy as the offense came roaring to life. The Sea Unicorns opened the inning with three straight hits, beginning with a leadoff single from CJ Nolan. Bryce Detwiler followed with a base hit to set the table for Anthony Tirado, who tied the game with an RBI single and quickly moved into scoring position by swiping second. Newcomer Michael Fiatarone then gave Norwich the lead with a run-scoring groundout to first, and in his return to the lineup, Aidan Baglino capped the rally, hammering a two-out RBI double to extend the lead.

Trailing 3-1, Westfield chipped away in the bottom of the fourth as Cooper Tarantino laced an RBI double to left, scoring James McDermott, who had reached after being hit by a pitch.

Westfield tied the game in the 6th thanks to back-to-back doubles from James McDermott and Jimmy Chadwell to even the score at 3 apiece.

The ballgame remained tied at 3, sending the game to extra-innings. Both sides traded runs in extras forcing the game to be decided by the Home Run Derby.

This game featured a familiar showdown from this season’s Home Run Derby championship round during the All-Star break in Worcester. Norwich elected to swing first in the derby, sending Bryce Detwiler to the plate, but he came up empty. Griffin Ennis sealed the win for Westfield with just one homer, completing the comeback. Their paths crossed again under different stakes Sunday afternoon, adding a little extra intrigue to the late-season matchup.

Win – N/A

Loss – N/A

Time – 3:22

Norwich returns to action Tuesday night at Dodd Stadium to open a critical three-game homestand against the Vermont Lake Monsters. After going winless last week, the Sea Unicorns will look to bounce back and inch closer to a playoff spot. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTION

vs Vermont Lake Monsters @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)

Featuring 2 for $5 Hot Dogs

Purchase a ticket to this game and receive a free ticket to our final regular season home game on Thursday, August 7

Written by Adam Plager