Sea Unicorns come from behind to win in extra innings in Westfield
Westfield, MA – Late inning magic was in the air for the Norwich Sea Unicorns tonight, as they beat the Westfield Starfires 7-5 in extra innings.
The Sea Unicorns had an opportunity right away to strike first, with a David Pengel single and Michael Fiatarone HBP putting two on with one out in the opening frame. A double steal would put both runners into scoring position, but Zach Worzel was able to get out of the inning unscathed with back-to-back outs.
Unlike Norwich, the Starfires were able to take advantage of their opportunities early in the first inning. A Jamison Howland walk would put him on base with two outs before an Aiden Barclay RBI double would drive him in for the first run of the game. Trent Jenks would extend the Westfield lead with an RBI single before Janvier Diaz was able to stop the bleeding with a fielder’s choice to end the frame at 2-0 Starfires.
The second inning came and went for both sides. Sadly, the Sea Unicorn errors continue to plague the defense as a Fiatarone throwing error to first advanced Jett Vindiola all the way to third base.
Pengel and Fiatarone were able to both get on base once again in the third, followed by a Brandon O’Neill walk to load the bases for Norwich with two outs. Westfield was able to escape the jam by striking out John Bureau, as Norwich left six runners on base through the first three innings of play.
A scary moment for the Sea Unicorns defense came in the third, as Fiatarone and O’Neill collided when both tried to field a ground ball. Thankfully, both players stayed in the game to continue playing and avoided any apparent injuries.
However, the third inning was a poor one for Diaz, as the Starfires jumped all over the Eastern Connecticut State starter. After getting two quick outs, three singles in a row would score a run and put Westfield up 3-0. A Vance Bonior HBP would load the bases before walking Vindiola to allow a run to score. Jacob Schrage would stop any more runs from coming across, with Pengel making a great sliding catch in center field to end the inning.
Norwich would have another huge opportunity in the fifth. The offense was able to load the bases with Taylor Kaufman and O’Neill walking alongside a fielding error to put Bureau on base. However, the Sea Unicorns would leave the bases stranded yet again, as a Dom Scalia foul out to the catcher would end the inning. The Sea Unicorns had now scored no runs and left 10 runners on base to this point.
The Sea Unicorns were finally able to strike in the sixth, with Reece McCarthy getting on base via a walk before stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error. McCarthy would put Norwich on the board, scoring on a muffled play at first allowing Pengel to avoid ending the inning.
Another big moment for The Rose City came in the seventh, with Norwich loading the bases via two walks and a double with only one out in the inning. Kenny Noe entered the game to pinch-hit for Scalia and immediately made an impact, scoring two runs on a fielder’s choice that got away from the third baseman due to a throwing error. Westfield was able to get two more outs without allowing another run, with the Sea Unicorns only down 4-3 entering the final two innings.
The Starfires were able to get a baserunner on in their half of the seventh, hoping to drive in some insurance to extend their lead. However, batter’s interference would be called on Bonior for interfering with Paul Calandrelli, as he dropped strike three in an attempt to throw the runner out at second.
Norwich was able to create some noise in the ninth. After O’Neill got on base with a walk, CJ Nolan would pinch run and come around to tie the game at 4 on a Kenny Noe RBI single. TJ Baer would pinch run for Noe and advance to second on a wild pitch. The advance would be crucial as Calandrelli rocked a base hit into center field, scoring Baer and giving the Sea Unicorns their first lead of the day at 5-4. However, Calandrelli would be caught in a rundown on the same play.
Shaun Flannery would attempt to close the game for Norwich. However, the Starfires got hot. With Jenks at second with two outs, he would advance to third on a wild pitch before coming in to tie the game at 5 on a Jack O’Neil RBI single.
The Sea Unicorns were able to retake the lead in the 10th through a Fiatarone 2 RBI single and put Norwich up 7-5. In the bottom of the 10th, Flannery shut the door with three straight strikeouts and ended his night with five total through two innings.
The Sea Unicorns are now 6-8 on the season. The team will be back in The Rose City tomorrow afternoon to have a rematch against the Starfires. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
Win – Shaun Flannery (1-0)
Loss – Dillon Harding (1-1)
Time – 3:30
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Sunday, June 14th vs Westfield Starfires @ 1:00pm (gates open at 12:00pm)
Sunday Funday
Sunday Funday will be one to remember! Following the game all kids 12 & under can head to the field to run the bases and have a catch in the outfield!
Presented by New London Public Schools Magnet Pathways.
Monday, June 15th vs Vermont Lake Monsters @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)
Kids Eat Free!
It’s the return of one of the best promotions at Dodd Stadium! Every Monday home game, all kids 12 & under will receive a voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips and bottle of water. A great night to bring the whole family to the park!
Presented by BTW Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
