Sea Unicorns Drop Pivotal Game To Vermont to Slide In Standings

Norwich, CT – The postgame fireworks were the only shots into the sky by the Sea Unicorns on Friday night, as the Vermont Lake Monsters shut them out 9-0 in their final matchup against each other of the regular season. 

The Norwich pitching staff struggled all night long, becoming a concern for the team. Starting pitcher Jackson Pray struggled in four innings of work, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks. 

Reliever Elijah Wells would also see some struggles in the seventh, only getting two outs and allowing two runs on one hit and four walks. 

In total, the Sea Unicorns pitching crew allowed 10 walks, compared to Vermont only surrendering two all game. 

After only getting two hits on Thursday night, the Sea Unicorns could only muster up four hits against the Vermont arms. Batters one through four in the lineup were the only ones who collected hits, with batters five through nine in the order combining to go 0-15. John Bureau had the best night of any Norwich hitter, going 1-3 with a walk. 

Vermont struck first in the second on a Travis Stroh sacrifice fly before exploding in the fourth inning. After loading the bases on two singles and a walk, a wild pitch scored Brad Johnston before Tyler Wiltsey cracked an RBI single to right to make it 3-0. Another walk would load the bases again for back-to-back RBI plays for Vermont. A Justin Yeutter groundout scored a run before James Henshon drove in two more on a two-RBI double. However, Henshon would be thrown out trying to make it a triple, ending the inning with a 6-0 Lake Monsters lead.

Up 7-0 after an RBI groundout in the sixth, Johnston smashed an extra base hit in the seventh to seal the game for Vermont. A two-RBI double put the Lake Monsters up 9-0, with their bullpen in full force to end the ballgame. 

Jake Taylor pitched a great inning for Vermont in the fourth, getting two strikeouts before Isaac Jensen pitched five innings in relief to get himself the win. Starter Alvin Gomez was another star of the show, pitching three scoreless innings. 

If anything positive can be taken away, it is that the Norwich defense is getting better. The team ended the game with zero errors, which is one of their best games in that category. Outfielder David Pengel also made a highlight reel catch, continuing his red hot season despite a poor team performance. 

Norwich ends their season series with a 3-7 record against the Lake Monsters. The Sea Unicorns will have to hope to not see them again if they sneak into the postseason in August. 

The Sea Unicorns are now 19-24 on the campaign. Norwich will kick off their weekend at home against the Lowell Spinners on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. 

Win – Isaac Jensen (1-1)

Loss – Jackson Pray (1-1)

Time – 2:44

written by Mark Benway

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Saturday, July 18th vs Lowell Spinners @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)

Back2Back2Back Championship Commemorative Cup Giveaway

Kona Ice and New England Brewing have both teamed up with the Sea Unicorns for a commemorative cup giveaway to help celebrate the Back2Back2Back Futures League Champions! Fans 20 and under will receive a cup featuring the Kona Ice logo and fans 21 and older will receive a cup featuring a New England Sea Hag IPA logo. Both cups will feature a logo honoring the Back2Back2Back Champion Sea Unicorns!

Sunday, July 19th vs Westfield Starfires @ 1:00pm (gates open at 12:00pm)

Sunday Funday

It’s another Sunday Funday Kids Game! 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