The 2023 Futures League season has been filled with many high’s and lows for the Sea Unicorns. Mother nature has showed her wrath and a slow start to the season made you question if prior seasons shortcomings where coming back to haunt them.
After Sunday’s doubleheader sweep, those questions and doubts where buried at sea, as Norwich clinched the Futures League pennant in just their third season of play.
Officially clinching in game one, a 7-5 victory wasn’t the only first in the game. Both Logan Meusy and Johnny Knox waited to the final game of the regular season to collect their first home runs. Meusy’s, a three-run shot to tie the game in the fourth.
Brandon Cahill made a one game return, pitching two innings allowing one run. Matt Reyes relieved him going three innings. Despite allowing three runs and going three innings. Seven inning rules got Reyes the win prior to Payton Sutman closing the door.
Game two essentially became a throwaway game for Norwich as they had already clinched the playoffs and pennant. The Sea Unicorns had other plans.
A two run first inning and a one run seventh allowed Norwich to come away with the victory 3-1, giving the club their 39th win of the season. One and done pitcher Daniel Manente got the start going three, striking out four and allowing three hits. Westfield only run came off Jared Burrows in the fourth.
For the win and save where two unlikely hero’s for Norwich. Zach Donahue pitched two frames of one-hit ball for the win while Johnny Knox wrapped it up for Norwich with the save.
The Sea Unicorns now turn their focus to the playoffs as they look to permanently exterminate in-state foes the New Britain Bees in Game one of the playoffs Tuesday.