Sea Unicorns Return from All-Star Break in Winning Form Against Worcester

Worcester, MA – The Norwich Sea Unicorns picked up two crucial road victories Thursday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader against the Worcester Bravehearts. With the wins, Norwich improves to 22-24 and leapfrogs Nashua for third place in the Futures League standings.

Game 1

Norwich staged a dramatic seventh-inning comeback to take the first game of the twin bill.

Worcester jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the 1st inning, capitalizing on four walks from Norwich starter Cooper Maher. All the damage came with two outs, including an RBI single from Jamison Howland. Sea Unicorns catcher Clay Hartje limited the damage by catching Cole Hambly stealing third.

The Bravehearts threatened again in the 3rd but failed to convert on their second bases loaded threat of the afternoon. Once again, control issues from Maher set the stage for the Worcester offense after the right hander issued a pair of free passes and allowed a single to Cole Hambly. With the bases loaded and one out, Norwich turned to Tiernan Doyle out of the bullpen to escape the jam. The move paid off as Doyle induced a couple fly balls to escape the rally unscathed.

Norwich sliced the Worcester lead in half with a run in the 4th. Jack Sweeney led off with an infield single and advanced into scoring position with a steal of second. Gavin O’Brien later brought home Sweeney on an RBI groundout to 3rd.

In the 7th, the Sea Unicorns broke through against All-Star reliever Caleb Allen. Charlie Walsh and Gavin O’Brien opened the inning with singles, and a walk to Hartje loaded the bases. Gabriel Rivera tied the game with a one-out walk, and Jack Byrne gave Norwich the lead with a fielder’s choice groundout to plate O’Brien.

Eric Mathewson shut the door in the bottom half, earning his second save of the summer with a scoreless inning. Mathewson has now allowed just one earned run over his last 12 innings.

Justin Gouin picked up the win with two scoreless frames of relief. The University of Hartford right-hander has strung together four consecutive scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 4.90.

Win – Justin Gouin (1-1)
Loss – Caleb Allen (2-1)
Save: Eric Mathewson (S, 2)
Time-  2:16

Game 2

Norwich completed the sweep with a dominant 5-0 shutout win in Game 2, which resumed in the bottom of the fourth after being suspended on July 9.

The Sea Unicorns wasted no time building a lead, scoring in the first on Charlie Walsh’s RBI single that drove in Alec Warden. They doubled the advantage in the third as Caden Fahy scored on a bases-loaded walk to CJ Nolan, aided by four balks in the inning from Worcester pitching.

After the game resumed Wednesday, Norwich added two more runs in the fifth. After loading the bases with one out, Nolan drove in another run with a single to center, and Ryan Thompson added a sac fly to make it 4-0.

In the sixth, Walsh recorded his second RBI of the game with a single to left, scoring Kenny Noe.

Frank Spirito continued his dominance on the mound, delivering 8 shutout innings over the two days, to earn his first win of the summer. The UCONN product held Worcester to just 4 hits while striking out 9. As a starter Spirito has allowed 1 earned run over 28.2 IP and owns a season ERA of 1.37.

Sean Connolly finished off the Bravehearts with a scoreless 9th to complete the shutout.

Win – Frank Spirito (1-0)

Loss – Evan Cornelius (0-1)

Norwich returns home tomorrow night for a critical contest against the Nashua Silver Knights as the Sea Unicorns look to maintain possession of 3rd place. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTION

vs Nashua Silver Knights @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)

“Norwich Connect” Jersey Night

The Sea Unicorns will wear special “Rose of New England” jerseys to show their strong connection to the City they call home, featuring three blue sections to signify the Three Rivers of Norwich as well as being emblazoned in the front red section with The Rose of New England!

Presented by: Dime Bank

First Responder Night

Join the Sea Unicorns as we thank our First Responders! Special ticket pricing for First Responders is available by calling or visiting the Dodd Stadium Ticket Office.

Presented by: Hartford Healthcare

Postgame Fireworks

Stick around following the game for a spectacular fireworks show by American Fireworks!

Presented by: Liberty Bank

Written by Adam Plager