Norwich Unable to Contain Lake Monsters in 9th Inning

Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns dropped their seventh straight game Tuesday night, falling to the Vermont Lake Monsters, 6-3. Vermont broke a 3-3 tie with a three-run rally in the top of the ninth, handing Norwich another late-inning defeat. The loss drops Norwich into a tie for third place with New Britain at 26-31, with just four games remaining in the regular season.

It was a pitcher’s duel through the first three innings, with both teams held hitless. Vermont broke the deadlock in the fourth against Norwich starter Drew Sliwkowski. Cooper Berry drew a leadoff walk, marking the first baserunner allowed by the left-hander. A comebacker to the mound moved Berry into scoring position as Norwich took the out at first. Hunter Kingsbury then advanced him to third with a grounder to second. Sliwkowski plunked the next batter to keep the inning alive, and Nolan Colby capitalized, lining a two-out RBI single into center field.

Norwich responded immediately, striking for a pair in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead. Despite three no-hit innings from Adam Schwartz, Vermont turned to Bryce DiPiero out of the bullpen to begin the frame. Chace Chaplin ignited the Sea Unicorns’ offense, smashing a leadoff double down the left field line. A fly ball to right moved Chaplin to third, and like Vermont, Norwich rallied with two outs. Michael Fiatarone tied the game with an RBI double into the left-center gap, and Clay Hartje followed with a base hit to drive in Fiatarone and give Norwich the lead.

Vermont battled back with a pair of runs in the 6th against Norwich reliever Daniel Cantafi to tie the game at 3. A walk and an error to open the frame sparked the Lake Monsters comeback effort giving the visitors immediate traffic in scoring position. The second RBI of the night from Nolan Colby cut the Norwich lead to 1 and a Nick Frontino sacrifice fly tied the game.

The game remained tied until the ninth, when Vermont surged for three runs to take a 6–3 lead. Cantafi retired the first batter, but a one-out walk to pinch-hitter Bryan Richman sparked the Lake Monsters’ rally. Xander Meissner followed with a base hit to put runners at the corners. A fielder’s choice groundout brought home Richman to give Vermont the lead. Travis Stroh kept the inning alive with an infield single, and Cooper Berry delivered the big blow, cranking a two-run double to left to extend the lead.

Norwich threatened in the home half of the ninth, loading the bases, but ultimately came up empty as Shamus Kelly struck out a pair to seal the victory for Vermont. Gavin O’Brien led off the inning with a single against Brady Lane, and a one-out throwing error by the Lake Monsters’ catcher put runners at second and third. With a threat brewing, Vermont manager Matt Fincher turned to Kelly out of the bullpen. The right-hander struck out Bryce Detwiler for the second out, and Fiatarone with the bases loaded after issuing a 2 out walk to Antonio Ducatelli to preserve the victory.

Win – Langdon Hazen (1-1)

Loss – Daniel Cantafi (1-2)

Save – Shamus Kelly (S, 2)

Time – 3:28

Norwich is back in action tonight at Dodd Stadium to conclude a 2-game series with the Lake Monsters. Cooper Maher (0-3) will take the mound for Norwich opposite Matt Higgins (0-0). First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

Written by Adam Plager