Sea Unicorns Celebrate Fan Appreciation Night with ‘Monster’ Victory
The Norwich Sea Unicorns took down the Vermont Lake Monsters 10-4 in front of a record setting attendance of over 4,500. Norwich’s victory is their third in a row and improves the Sea Unicorns to a Futures League best 17 games over .500, holding a record a 36-19.
Norwich treated their home fans immediately, striking for 6 runs in the 1st against Vermont starter Eddie Kaftan. Command trouble proved costly for Kaftan who issued 4 walks, plunked a batter, and a passed ball that leaked behind Jake Gaudreau helped Norwich build an early lead. Connor Lane broke the game open with 2 outs and the bases loaded crushing a mammoth grand slam to clear the deck in left field. Vermont starter, Eddie Kaftan lasted just 0.2 innings surrendering 6 runs to the Norwich offense.
The Sea Unicorns continued their offensive rampage with a run in the 2nd. Trey Porter ignited the offense, smashing 2 out ground rule double over the right field wall. Anthony Tirado followed with an infield base hit to bring home Porter.
Vermont answered with a run in the 4th to cut the Norwich lead to 6. Vincent Borghese tossed 3 innings of scoreless baseball before the Sea Unicorns elected to bring in Teo Spadaccini. The Yale product allowed a leadoff base hit to Zander Teator who later found his way into scoring position after an errant throw by the Norwich catcher trying to back pick Teator at first. A two out single by Dante Pozzi into center field produced the first run of the night for the visitors.
The host responded with 3 runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to take a 10-1 lead. Norwich loaded the bases thanks to a pair of walks and a base hit. Alex Irizarry plated a pair wiring a single into right field. The Tolland, Connecticut native finished his night with a pair of knocks and 3 RBIs. Overall, 8 of 9 starters for Norwich recorded a hit and 4 finished with multi-hit performances.
The Lake Monsters closed the margin to 6 in the 8th but that would be the closest they would come. Vermont did their damage with a pair of outs, capitalizing on an error committed by the Norwich shortstop earlier in the frame.
Ryan O’Connell earned the victory for Norwich striking out 5 over 2 innings of relief. The Quinnipiac transfer has now fired 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball while punching out 10. In total, Norwich pitching struck out a season high 15 in the winning effort last night.
Win- Ryan O’Connell (2-0)
Loss- Eddie Kaftan (2-2)
Time- 3:04
UPCOMING
The Norwich Sea Unicorns are back in action tonight for a scheduled doubleheader with the Westfield Starfires. First pitch for the opener of the doubleheader is slated to start at 5:30 p.m. EST from Bullens Field. Norwich has an opportunity to lock up the top seed in the Futures League standings with 2 victories tonight.
On Sunday Norwich will conclude the regular season with a meeting against the Road Warriors. A Reason to Ride Bike Night has also been rescheduled to this Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m. EST from Dodd Stadium.
