Sea Unicorns continue winning ways against Worcester
Worcester, MA – The Sea Unicorns continue their hot streak, beating the Worcester Bravehearts 5-4 to put the Rose City right back into the playoff mix with three straight wins.
However, it didn’t start all sunshine and rainbows for the Sea Unicorns. After an Aaron Bock strikeout to begin the bottom of the first, Jake Yang blasted a solo home run to left. A double, HBP, and single would then load the bases for Worcester with two outs in the frame before Benny Hess was HBP to drive another run in. A Cole Centracchio strikeout would get Norwich out of the bases loaded jam, with Worcester up 2-0.
The Sea Unicorns were able to get two runners on base in the second, but couldn’t get any across the plate. A Jackson Powers single and Jacob Snyder reaching safely on an error would put Norwich’s first man in scoring position. Sadly for those on base, a Luke Maltacea strikeout and Brandon O’Neill fielder’s choice ended the inning.
The third would finally bring some luck to the boys from the Rose City. After two fast outs, Michael Fiatarone reached base on a single before stealing second base. A Matt Park RBI single would drive him in for the first run of the game for Norwich, only down 2-1 in the early innings.
They would continue their offensive outburst in the fourth. Carter Grande would lead the inning with a HBP before advancing to second on a balk and moving to third on a wild pitch before coming all the way around to score on a Maltacea groundout. An O’Neil walk and David Pengel single. followed by a stolen base to second, would put two in scoring position with one out. With Norwich desperately needing the lead, TJ Baer answered the call with a 2 RBI single to center to give the Sea Unicorns a 4-2 lead.
Throughout the later innings of the ballgame, the Sea Unicorns middle relievers stepped up in a huge way. Through 4 combined innings, Janvier Diaz and Jack Scholz combined for 4 scoreless frames with 8 strikeouts and only 1 hit allowed. It showcased another elite performance by this Norwich pitching staff, which has shown an increase in confidence recently following Eric Mathewson’s star performance during Thursday’s doubleheader.
The Sea Unicorns would tack on an insurance run in the fifth, with Maltacea hitting a sacrifice fly to right to drive in Powers and making it a 5-2 Norwich ballgame.
Shaun Flannery entered the game in the ninth looking to secure the save and give Norwich the win. However, the star closer faced some trouble with this Bravehearts offense. After a leadoff HBP and a Centracchio walk, an Andrew Schmit groundout advanced both runners into scoring position with now two outs in the frame. With only one out to go, Bock stroked a 2 RBI double to right, scoring both runners and putting Worcester within 1 run of the Sea Unicorns. Yang then knocked a single to left, but a great throw from Powers and tag from Maltacea was able to get Bock out at home plate, securing the victory for Norwich.
The Sea Unicorns are now 17-20 on the campaign. Norwich will have a day off on Saturday before heading to Lowell Sunday night to take on the Spinners. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET.
Win – Janvier Diaz (3-1)
Loss – Greg Strite (0-2)
Save – Shaun Flannery (2)
Time – 3:05
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Monday, July 13th vs Lowell Spinners @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Kids Eat Free!
All kids 12 & under will receive a voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips and bottle of water. Can’t get much better than that!
Presented by BTW Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Tuesday, July 14th vs Nashua Silver Knights @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Buy One, Get One Tickets!
It’s a Tuesday two-fer! Purchase any seating bowl ticket and receive a 2nd ticket of equal or lesser value free (free ticket is only valid for the same game).
