Sea Unicorns Force Game 3, Overcome Early 4-Run Deficit

Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns kept their championship hopes alive last night, defeating the New Britain Bees 5-4 in a dramatic 12-inning thriller at Dodd Stadium. Last night, marked the third consecutive extra-innings battle for Norwich this postseason and second walkoff victory.

New Britain stormed ahead early thanks to a mammoth 3-run homerun from George Slauson against Norwich starter Matt Wootton. Cam Righi and Colin Crowley set the table, wiring back-to-back base hits to begin the ballgame. Wootton punched out the next batter he faced before the power hitting first baseman clobbered his first homerun of the postseason and second of the summer – both at Dodd Stadium.

The Bees extended their lead in the 3rd, adding an insurance marker against Norwich reliever Gio Conte. Colin Crowley began the rally dumping a base hit into center field, moved into scoring position on a weak grounder to third, and advanced to third on Slauson’s second hit of the night. Jake Risedorf brought home Crowley on a sacrifice fly to center field.

Norwich battled back in the bottom of third, slicing the Bees lead in half with a pair of runs. Norwich took advantage of a walk and consecutive defensive miscues to load the bases with 2 outs. Charlie Walsh delivered, lining an opposite field single to left field, scoring Connor Scanlan and Antonio Ducatelli bringing Norwich within two. Walsh’s hit marked the first hit of the night from the Norwich offense against Bees starter Colin Blake.

Trailing by a pair of runs with 3 outs left, the Norwich offense surged once again, rallying for a pair of runs to tie the game at 4. Bryce Detwiler ignited the offense, smoking a leadoff triple to the alley in right center field. A wild pitch from closer Evan Mello allowed Detwiler to score, making it a one-run game. CJ Nolan flipped a base hit into right field, putting the tying run aboard. Clay Hartje executed a sacrifice bunt, advancing Nolan into scoring position for Gavin O’Brien, who wrapped a game-tying single into left field.

The ballgame remained deadlocked at 4 until the bottom of the 12th, and two outs. New Britain reliever Lucas Kamoen retired the first two batters he faced in order. Chace Chaplin sparked the rally smashing, a double down the left field line. Norwich elected to pinch run Michael Fiatarone for Chaplin at second base and the Bees decided to intentionally walk Charlie Walsh, setting the stage for Detwiler with two on and two outs. The UCONN commit delivered, lofting a base hit into center field, to score Fiatarone and cap a magical comeback at Dodd Stadium.

Gio Conte shined in relief, tossing 6 innings of 1-run baseball, earning himself Futures League Pitcher of the Night honors for the second time this summer. Conte’s performance last night is his longest career outing out at the collegiate level. Norwich pitching did not allow any runs over the final 9 innings in the comeback victory.

Bryce Detwiler was named Futures League Player of the Night for the second time this postseason, finishing 2/4 with a run scored and the game-winning RBI to send the series back to the Beehive.

Win – Eric Mathewson (1-0)

Loss – Lucas Kamoen (0-1)

Time – 3:27

UPCOMING

Norwich will look to make history this afternoon on the road at New Britain Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. for a winner take all Game 3.

Written by Adam Plager