Sea Unicorns Drop Game One In Vermont
Burlington, VT – The Sea Unicorns fall short in an absolute thriller, losing to the Vermont Lake Monsters 7-6 on Wednesday night.
The game saw its first taste of action in the second inning. James Henshon would start the frame with a walk before a Jack Fitzgerald HBP put two runners on right away with nobody out. A double steal would move Henshon to third while Fitzgerald was caught at second. However, Travis Stroh would smack an RBI single to center and drive in Henshon, putting the Lake Monsters up 1-0.
Bryan Richman would create action all by himself in the third. After walking with one out, back-to-back stolen bases would set him up to score on a Hunter Strohm sacrifice fly and put Vermont up 2-0.
Eric Mathewson would find himself in some more trouble throughout the fourth inning. After allowing one base hit and getting two quick flyouts in the frame, back-to-back singles from Tommy Popoff and Zach Geerstma would load the bases. Peter Glidden would come in to pitch for Norwich and get right out of the jam without allowing any runs.
The Sea Unicorns would finally get some action on the basepaths in the fifth inning. A John Bureau HBP, CJ Nolan walk, and TJ Baer single would load the bases with nobody out. Henry Ayers would keep the line moving with a bases loaded walk and drive in the first run of the game. After David Pengel grounded into a double play, a wild pitch would score the tying run at 2-2.
Vermont would answer right back in the home half of the fifth, as Richman once again creates magic all on his own. After a single and stolen base, Richman advanced to third on a flyout before scoring on a groundout to give the Lake Monsters a 3-2 lead.
The Lake Monsters would add some insurance to their lead in the seventh, as a Tyler Wiltsey walk and Richman double would put two runners in scoring position with one out. A fielder’s choice and error would score Wiltsey and Richman, making it a 5-2 Vermont lead.
However, the Sea Unicorns would not go down without a fight. The offense created some late inning magic in the eighth, starting right away with a Caden Williamson single and Michael Fiatarone walk. A Matt Park RBI single would drive in Williamson and bring Norwich within 2. A passed ball would put the two runners in scoring position before Bureau walked to load the bases. A Nolan RBI single followed by a Baer sacrifice fly would tie the game at 5 a piece. Another walk to Ayers would load the bases once again with one out. A fielder’s choice from Pengel would drive in Bureau and give the Sea Unicorns their first lead of the day at 6-5.
The bullpen, which has been an on-and-off struggle for the Sea Unicorns throughout the season, would be unable to hang on in the same inning. Shaun Flannery entered the game as one of the best relievers on Norwich, and ended up having the worst appearance of his campaign. A Henshon leadoff single would right away cost the Sea Unicorns as Fitzgerald cracked an RBI double to right and tie the game at 6. Later in the frame, another RBI double from Vermont would give them the lead, this time by Popoff.
Norwich would attempt to bring the tying run home in the ninth. Williamson began the inning with a walk before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Two quick outs would lead to Bureau walking to put the go ahead run on base for the Sea Unicorns. It wouldn’t matter in the end, as Nolan would strike out to end the game.
The Sea Unicorns are now 11-12 on the campaign. Norwich will continue their road stand in Vermont on Thursday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.
Win – Jake Taylor (1-0)
Loss – Shaun Flannery (1-1)
Save – Sam Labrecque (4)
Time – 3:22
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Monday, June 29th vs Nashua Silver Knights @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Kids Eat Free!
Back-to-back weeks of free meal Mondays! All kids 12 & under will receive a voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips and bottle of water.
Presented by BTW Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Wednesday, July 1st vs Lowell Spinners @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
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!
