Sea Unicorns drop another late inning loss
Norwich, CT – Although the large crowd Friday night was ecstatic to see their Norwich Sea Unicorns return home, they did not get the results they wished for. The Sea Unicorns suffered yet another late inning collapse to lose the Battle of the Nutmeg State 6-3 to the New Britain Bees.
Norwich put themselves in a position to win early in the first, with Reece McCarthy reaching on a throwing error by Myles Gythfeldt. New Britain starter Matthew Shea failed two pickoff attempts in the first, which shook up his approach to the plate as he would walk two runners to load the bases. Jackson Powers would knock in the first run for the Sea Unicorns with a sac fly to put the Rose City up 1-0.
However, the Bees stung back fast. Norwich starter Janvier Diaz could not repeat the same dominance that he had during the home opener just a week ago, allowing New Britain to tie the game in the second with a Nico Amecangelo RBI single.
Norwich was able to come right back and answered in the third, with Michael Fiatarone continuing his hot season with a triple. John Bureau would drive him in on an RBI single to center, putting the Sea Unicorns right back in the driver seat up 2-1.
The Sea Unicorns continued their dominance on the basepaths, racking up another six stolen bases. Three of which were by Paul Calandrelli, who would erupt the crowd by stealing home on a double steal in the fourth to put the team up 3-1. The next three innings would go by quietly, with both bullpens putting up solid performances to keep the game close entering the eighth.
After a strong seventh inning with two strikeouts, Norwich decided to keep Sean Connolly in the game and let him pitch the eighth. However, that decision would turn out to be a costly one. A leadoff walk and fielding error by Carter Grande would put two on with nobody out. James Fagnant would make the Sea Unicorns pay, driving in an RBI on the base hit due to a fielding error by Norwich that allowed the runners to keep advancing. Two more errors in the inning, four in total, would allow the New Britain Bees to leave the eighth up 6-3.
Norwich would end the game with more errors than runs scored, as although a Kenny Noe two-out double would get the crowd excited for any chance of a comeback, a Fiatarone flyout would end the game.
The Sea Unicorns are now 3-6 on the season as they continue their homestand tomorrow against the Nashua Silver Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Win – Leo Vitarelli (1-0)
Loss – Sean Connolly (0-1)
Save – Fayz Baig (1)
Time – 2:54
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
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.
Wednesday, June 10 vs New Britain Bees @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)
Midweek Ballpark Bundle
Wednesday nights will become your favorite night of the week with our brand new bundle for the summer! The bundle allows fans to purchase a premium seat and 2 hot dogs for just $15. Can’t beat that deal!
