Sea Unicorns drop another after late lead cannot be held
Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns blow another late lead in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the New Britain Bees.
The Sea Unicorns did what they do best and struck early, with Brandon O’Neil knocking in their only run of the game on an RBI single in the first.
Most of the game was silent, with neither team being able to get runs on the board. New Britain had an opportunity in the sixth, with Garrett McGovern and Ben Kuja on base with two outs. However, Alex D’Ambrosio got out of the jam by getting Robbie Lamond to foul out to Matt Park.
Sadly for the home crowd, the Bees wouldn’t stay silent forever. Elijah Wells entered the game for Norwich in the seventh, and the Bees offense came alive. A single from Myles Gythfeldt and Brady Chernovetz HBP would put two on with one out in the frame. The runners would perform a double steal, with Gythfeldt being able to come home and score to tie the game after a throwing error from Luke Maltacea. Chernovetz would score right after on a wild pitch, giving the Bees their 2-1 lead. A Grady Schopps single and George Slauson walk would load the bases for the Bees, but the Sea Unicorns would put a stop to it with a Brady Paul popout to end the inning.
New Britain would come alive yet again in the eighth, attacking Joe Pitts right away. McGovern would knock a single into right, followed by another single by Kuja and a Lamond walk to load the bases with nobody out. Pitts was able to regain control, getting three straight outs to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
The Sea Unicorns had an opportunity in their half of the eighth to answer after Dominic Carollo came in to relieve the lights out Garbinski. Michael Fiatarone, one of the best hitters in the Futures League, came in the game to pinch hit for Reece McCarthy and immediately singled to start the inning. A stolen base and balk would advance Fiatarone and put the tying run 90-feet away from home. Kenny Noe would walk and steal second to put the go ahead run into scoring position. However, the Bees escaped the jam after getting Taylor Kaufman to ground out.
The Bees yet again put two runners into scoring position in the ninth to try and extend their lead. Pitts was able to escape and spoil another chance for New Britain.
Norwich, down one run, tried to make something happen for the home crowd in the ninth. A Maltacea single would allow for David Pengel to pinch-run and try to tie the game with one out. Pengel would steal second before New Britain was able to strikeout the last two batters to ruin any chance of a comeback.
The game was dominated by both teams’ spectacular pitching performances. New Britain starter Garret Garbinski and Sea Unicorns starter Charlie Bushley went toe-to-toe with fast shutdown innings. Garbinski ended his day with 7 innings, only allowing one run with none earned and 2 strikeouts. Bushley had a night to be proud of, pitching 5 innings of one hit ball with no runs allowed.
The Sea Unicorns are now 5-7 on the season as the team will face the Lowell Spinners in the Rose City Thursday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Win – Garret Garbinski (2-0)
Loss – Elijah Wells (0-1)
Save – Dominic Carrillo (1)
Time – 2:14
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Thursday, June 11 vs Lowell Spinners @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)
Thirsty Thursday
Thirsty Thursday is back at Dodd Stadium! Come on down to the ballpark for some great beer specials you won’t want to miss!
Presented by Narragansett Beer
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.
