Sea Unicorns Clinch Fourth Straight Playoff Berth During Doubleheader Sweep Of Westfield

Norwich, CT – It was a day filled with celebration at Dodd Stadium, as the Sea Unicorns swept the doubleheader over the Westfield Starfires and have officially clinched the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. 

Entering Wednesday’s action, Norwich controlled their own destiny. The Rose City only needed one more win to clinch the playoffs, and had two great opportunities to get that done.

Game One was a pitcher’s duel, with both starting pitchers being lights out. Westfield’s Mason Pingree threw four scoreless innings with four strikeouts. On the other side, Norwich’s Joe Pitts racked up five scoreless innings with four strikeouts.

The bullpens continued the magic on both sides, with both teams failing to notch a run through the seven innings. However, luck finally turned towards the Sea Unicorns side in extras. Kenny Noe was placed on second base as the ghost runner, while TJ Baer knocked a single to put runners on the corners. With Michael Fiatarone, one of the best athletes in the Futures League, coming to the plate, Westfield intentionally walked to load the bases. On the next play, Jackson Powers knocked a sacrifice fly deep enough for Noe to score and win the game 1-0. 

Offensively, Baer had a great Game One, going 2-4. CJ Nolan was a highlight reel as well, racking up two stolen bases in the first contest. That success would continue into Game Two, with Nolan having five stolen bases in the second contest to give the star seven total stolen bases on the day.

With the postseason now reached and secured, the Sea Unicorns entered Game Two looking to prove something. Hudson Castillo took the mound for Norwich, and vastly improved after some rough outings to start the season. He would throw four scoreless innings of work with three strikeouts. 

The Norwich offense was on the attack right away, as two singles and a double steal put two runners in scoring position. A Jack Treat groundout and wild pitch would score their first two runs of the game. 

In the third, Norwich tacked on another run through a Carter Grande fielder’s choice and throwing error. The offense wouldn’t be stopped there, as in the fourth Norwich struck for two more. A Henry Ayers triple and Nolan single put two on with nobody out. A stolen base from Nolan put both in scoring position, perfect for a Taylor Kaufman sacrifice fly to put Norwich up 5-0. On the next at-bat, Jack Treat smashed an RBI triple to give the Sea Unicorns a 6-0 lead. 

The Starfires would finally make some noise in the sixth. A leadoff double and wild pitch put Easton Sanders on third. Cayden Van Dolah would rocket an RBI double to put the Starfires on the board for the first time through over 14 innings of play. A Connor Smith groundout in the frame would drive in another, making it 6-2.

A Kaufman RBI single in the sixth would be the end to their scoring, putting this game away handily after Sanders shot an RBI double into right. Two strikeouts in the seventh and a flyout would end the game, giving the Sea Unicorns a big day of victories, especially in the ones that mattered. 

The Sea Unicorns host the New Britain Bees for the final home game of the 2026 regular season on Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. E.T.

Game One

Win – Shaun Flannery (3-2)

Loss – Jack Dyer (0-2)

Time – 2:09

Game Two

Win – Hudson Castillo (1-1)

Loss – Thomas Pirog (0-3)

Time – 2:07

Written by Mark Benway

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Thursday, August 6th vs New Britain Bees @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)

Thirsty Thursday

The final Thirsty Thursday of the season is upon us! Come on down to the ballpark for some great beer specials and exciting Sea Unicorns baseball.

Presented by Narragansett Beer