Norwich Snaps 7-Game Slide, Pick Up Crucial Victory Over Vermont
Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns snapped a seven-game skid with a crucial 7-2 victory over the Vermont Lake Monsters on Wednesday night, marking their first win since July 27. Last night’s win officially clinches Norwich a berth in the postseason with 3 games remaining in the regular season, owning a record of 27-31.
Norwich opened the scoring in the third against Vermont starter Matt Higgins, taking an early 1-0 lead. The Sea Unicorns strung together three straight one-out hits, starting with an infield single from Chase Taylor. Gavin O’Brien followed with a base hit to left, setting the table for Cal Chance, who delivered with an opposite-field RBI single to score Taylor. Unfortunately, that would be all the offense in the inning for Norwich, as Higgins settled down and retired the next two batters to escape further damage.
Vermont answered immediately, striking for a pair of runs in the 4th against Norwich starter Cooper Maher to take the lead 2-1. Maher ran into trouble with one out issuing a walk to Sam Cavossa and Tommy Popoff reached via an infield single to spark the Lake Monsters offense. With two outs, Evan Dennis capitalized, crushing a bases clearing double to give Vermont their first lead of the night.
Despite the rocky fourth, Maher kept Norwich within striking distance, limiting the Vermont offense to 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5 over his four innings of work.
Trailing by a run, the Norwich offense came roaring to life in the 6th inning, exploding for 4 runs to retake the lead. Connor Scanlan began the rally wiring a leadoff single up the middle and command troubles from Vermont reliever Will Polishuk loaded the bases. After surrendering a pair of walks to loads the bases, Polishuk fired a wild pitch, allowing Scanlan to score to tie the game. Gavin O’Brien gave Norwich the lead, hammering a one out triple to the wall in right field scoring Jack Kushman and Chase Taylor. Charlie Walsh capped the rally slicing a 2 out single into left field plating O’Brien to give Norwich a 5-2 advantage.
In the eighth, the Sea Unicorns added insurance against Vermont reliever Cole Tarrant, who struggled with command. Cal Chance worked a leadoff walk, and back-to-back wild pitches moved him to third, forcing the Lake Monsters to bring the infield in. A groundout to second kept Chance at third, but Tarrant’s control continued to waver as he hit CJ Nolan to put runners on the corners. With two outs, Connor Scanlan made him pay, smoking a triple to the wall in right, stretching the Norwich lead to 5. Scanlan earned Futures League Player of the Night honors last night, finishing 2-3 with a triple and 2 RBIs.
The bullpen slammed the door shut, tossing 5 scoreless innings and holding the Vermont offense to just 2 hits without issuing a free pass, helping Norwich cruise to a much-needed win on Wednesday night.
Win – Eric Mathewson (2-1)
Loss – Will Polishuk (0-1)
Time – 3:00
Norwich is back in action tonight to begin a pivotal home and home series with their in-state rival New Britain Bees. Frank Spirito (1-1) will toe the rubber tonight for Norwich opposite Ty Davis (1-1). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. with tonight’s game broadcasted on NESN.
UPCOMING PROMOTION
vs New Britain Bees @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)
Aruba Theme at the Bell Logistics Hole in the Wall Beer Garden
Wear your favorite Caribbean themed outfit and learn about travel options to Aruba from local travel agents
Presented by: HMS Travel Consulting
Thirsty Thursday
Narragansett Beer Specials
“Norwich Connect” Jersey Night
The Sea Unicorns will wear special “Rose of New England” jerseys to show their strong connection to the City they call home, featuring three blue sections to signify the Three Rivers of Norwich as well as being emblazoned in the red front section with The Rose of New England!
Postgame Fireworks
Stick around following the game for a spectacular fireworks show by American Fireworks!
Presented by: Liberty Bank
Written by Adam Plager