The Norwich Sea Unicorns ended their 3-game skid with a walkoff victory over the Worcester Bravehearts 7-6 on Thursday night. Norwich’s victory moves the Sea Unicorns into a tie for second in the Futures League standings, with the New Britain Bees, each holding a record of 21-15.
Worcester began the scoring in the 2nd inning, taking advantage of a 2 out error committed by the Norwich defense to take a 2-0 lead. Norwich starter, Timothy Lewis allowed the first 2 batters he faced to reach base safely on a leadoff single from Dylan Lapointe and then plunked the next batter on the first pitch to give Worcester runners at first and second with no outs. Lewis responded by retiring the next 2 batters he faced in order, and Norwich had an opportunity to escape the frame with the game still scoreless. Unfortunately, an error by the Norwich first baseman allowed Worcester to strike first. Max LeFrancois followed with a base hit to extend the Bravehearts lead to 2.
Norwich immediately responded, rattling off 6 runs in the bottom of the inning and chased the Worcester starter who was able to record only one out. The Sea Unicorns sent 6 batters to the plate, striking for 5 runs before John Connolly retired his first batter of the frame. Antonio Ducatelli and newcomer Sebastian Mueller began the home 2nd with a pair of singles and a walk to Christian Stratis loaded the bases. The second consecutive walk issued by Connolly plated the first run of the inning for Norwich. Jack Sweeney extended the lead for Norwich to 3, smashing a double to the wall in left field to drive home Mueller and Stratis. Chris Carson continued the scoring parade for the Sea Unicorns, poking a single into right field and the lead for Norwich grew to 5. At last, the Endicott product was able to record his first out of the frame on a pop up to the third baseman. AJ Soldra followed with the 5th hit of the inning for Norwich and the 6th run of the night for the host, which ultimately ended the night for Connolly.
Evan Scully shined for the Bravehearts, holding Norwich scoreless over 5.2 innings of relief. The Endicott product escaped the 2nd inning without any further damage and kept Worcester in the game, holding the Norwich offense to just 3 hits. Scully’s damage control proved to be effective as the Bravehearts offense slowly chipped away at the 4-run deficit.
Sea Unicorns starter Timothy Lewis ran into danger in the 4th, allowing Worcester to trim the Norwich lead to 1. A leadoff double and a single opened the door for the Bravehearts offense. Lewis was able to retire the next batter he faced on a weak pop up to the first baseman. Next, a fielder’s choice groundout produced the 3rd run of the night for Worcester as Norwich was unable to complete the double play. Back-to-back hits for Worcester made it a one rune game and spelled the end of the line for Lewis, who departed with runners at 2nd and 3rd. Norwich turned to Jimmy Mulvaney to preserve the lead for Norwich. Mulvaney began his night hitting the first batter he faced to load the bases for Worcester. The Fairfield product responded with a critical strikeout to end the threat and hold the lead for Norwich.
The ballgame remained 6-5 until the 9th inning, when Dylan LaPointe cranked a 2 out triple to tie the game at 6. LaPointe’s game tying triple set the stage for a wild 9th inning. Rodriguez escaped the top of the 9th without any further damage, allowing Norwich a chance to walk it off in the home 9th.
Scott Penney began the danger for Norwich, wiring a one out double to the left center field gap. Worcester elected to intentionally walk AJ Soldra to face Connor Lane. The Sea Unicorns catcher legged out an infield single and the bases were loaded for Antonio Ducatelli with still one out. Next, Ducatelli chopped a sharply hit ground ball to the Bravehearts second baseman, who fired home for the 2nd out and then the Worcester catcher attempted to complete the double play, but his throw sailed over the head of his first baseman, allowing AJ Soldra to come home and score to seal the victory for Norwich in walkoff fashion.
Norwich is back in action tonight to begin a 2-game set with the Road Warriors. It is First Responders Night presented by Hartford Healthcare/ Backus & Windham Hospitals along with postgame fireworks by American Fireworks presented by Liberty Bank. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.