Sea Unicorns continue offensive roll; take down starfires
Westfield, MA – The Norwich Sea Unicorns completed a 2-game sweep over the Westfield Starfires, having an offensive spectacle after winning 18-5.
Norwich jumped on Westfield’s Thomas Pirog early, with a leadoff single by Henry Ayers and a Michael Fiatarone walk putting two runners on. Kenny Noe would take advantage of the opportunity, blasting a three-run home run to put the Sea Unicorns up 3-0 in the first.
Norwich tried capturing that same magic in the second, as a fielding error by JJ Fox allowed a base knock into the outfield. However, CJ Nolan tried stretching two on the shallow ball and was caught out at second base.
Sea Unicorns starting pitcher Graydon Vyse started out hot, pitching two shutdown innings before beginning to unravel in the third. Vance Bonior doubled and stole third base before coming home on a balk to cut Norwich’s lead to 3-1. With one out in the inning, Jamison Howland singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch followed by another single by Trent Jenks to put runners on the corners. Vyse was able to regain his command, striking out the last two hitters to get out of the jam with minimal damage.
Norwich began to put the pressure back on in the fourth, with the first two batters reaching base on a HBP and walk. A wild pitch by Kyle Wilson would advance both runners into scoring position, and another HBP to Joe Carucci would load the bases with one out. A third HBP this inning alone, this time with the bases loaded, would score a run and increase the lead to 4-1. Westfield was able to get out of the bases loaded jam, getting a force out at home on a ground ball and striking out Ayers to end the inning.
The Sea Unicorns brought the action back in the sixth after a quiet few innings of baseball. A Carter Grande HBP and Carucci single put runners on the corners before Carucci would steal second to put both in scoring position with nobody out. The Starfires intentionally walked Caden Williamson with one out to load the bases and make a force out available at any base. However, the strategy backfired on Westfield as Ayers smacked a 2 RBI single down the line to put Norwich up 6-1. Another RBI single by TJ Baer would add another run in the frame, followed by a 2 RBI single by Fiatarone to pour the runs on and put the Sea Unicorns up 9-1 for the second day in a row.
Joe Pitts found himself in some trouble in the home half of the sixth. Two fielding errors by Grande allowed two runners on to start the frame, followed by a passed ball to allow both to advance into scoring position. Fox redeemed himself for his fielding error earlier in the game by knocking in a 2 RBI single to put Westfield back on the board, down 9-3.
Norwich was able to strike back in the seventh, with the first three batters reaching base to load them up with no outs. Ayers and Fiatarone both hit sacrifice flies in the inning, putting the Sea Unicorns up 11-3.
The Starfires were able to keep up the pace in the seventh, as two runners were able to get into scoring position before Fox cashed in on the opportunity with a 2 RBI single to put Westfield closer at 11-5.
The offense for Norwich once again exploded in the eighth. After loading the bases with one out, a bases loaded walk to Williamson would score a run. Back-to-back HBP would score two more runs for the Sea Unicorns. Fiatarone would score a run on fielder’s choice to second, with Fox’s second error of the day scoring another run, giving Norwich a whopping 16-5 lead. Two more runs would score in the inning to make it an 18-5 Sea Unicorns game.
The Sea Unicorns set the Futures League record by having 9 HBP’s against them, with Westfield’s pitching control being at an all-time low.
John Devine closed out the game in the bottom of the eighth, as Norwich won without a ninth inning via mercy rule.
The Sea Unicorns have reached .500 for the first time this season at 3-3. They head to Lowell tomorrow night to take on the Spinners. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Win – Graydon Vyse (1-0)
Loss – Thomas Pirog (0-1)
Time – 3:21
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Friday, June 5 vs New Britain Bees @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)
First Responder Night
The first Friday night game of the season will be one you won’t want to miss! All first responders can purchase a unique ticket for $8 at the ticket office that includes a voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips, and bottle of water. What a deal for the people who deserve it most!
Presented by: Hartford Healthcare
Postgame Fireworks
Stay around following the conclusion of the game for an amazing firework display!
Presented by: Liberty Bank
Saturday, June 6 vs Nashua Silver Knights @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)
Bark In The Park
Every man’s best friend is welcome to watch America’s national pastime! We will be opening part of the 3rd base/left field side seating sections for those fans that would like to bring their dogs with them for some exciting Sea Unicorn action.
