Sea Unicorns End Home Season With Loss To New Britain
Norwich, CT – It was a long Thirsty Thursday for the Sea Unicorns. After Wednesday was filled with joy, the Rose City came crashing back down to reality with a crushing 15-5 mercy rule loss to the New Britain Bees.
As the playoffs inch closer, it’s becoming more likely that Norwich will see the Bees in the first round, making these games that much more important to get a feel for your opponent.
Right away, pitching seemed to be a struggle for both sides. The umpire had a strict strike zone all night long, and that impacted Norwich starter Michael Zalinkanskas early with an up and down first inning. After allowing a leadoff walk, the Cranford native struck out the next two batters looking before walking the next two to load the bases with two outs. Nico Amecangelo failed to take advantage of the situation, striking out to end the frame.
In the bottom half of the first, New Britain starter Tommy Conley faced similar difficulties. Kenny Noe would be hit by a pitch before Matt Park singled to put two runners on. Both advanced on a wild pitch to move into scoring position with one out. A Jake Howlett walk would load the bases for Norwich. Later in the frame, Carter Grande would walk a run in, giving the Sea Unicorns an early 1-0 lead.
Kevin Penny would enter the game for Norwich in the second, and face some hardships from the Hard Hittin’ New Britain offense. A leadoff walk and Ian Wirtz single put two on base right away. Grady Schopps would walk to load the bases once again for New Britain, where a fielder’s choice and error from Noe would score two runs and give the Bees a 2-1 lead.
The third inning proved to be an explosive one for both sides. In the top half, Dylan Swarts would reach base on a double before scoring on an Amato Civitello RBI single. Then, the Bees batted around with two outs in the frame. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Ben Kuja to rocket a bases clearing three-RBI double. After that, another walk was allowed before Owen Rich knocked an RBI single to make it 7-1. Another RBI single in the inning would make it 8-1, this time from Michael Olender.
Norwich looked to respond in the home half, and did to an extent. Park led the inning with a triple before a Howlett HBP and Shaun Flannery walk loaded the bases. A Grande sacrifice fly and Paul Calandrelli RBI single drove two more runs in for Norwich before a fielder’s choice and Henry Ayers RBI single drove in two more. At the end of the frame, the Bees led the Sea Unicorns 8-5.
That would be all she wrote for the Rose City, as the Bees continued to pile on. Two more base hits would score three combined runs for New Britain in the fourth, including a Rich two-RBI single.
In the fifth, the Bees continued to bat around the order. A leadoff Swarts double and Civitello walk would lead to a fielder’s choice scoring another run. Later in the frame, Kuja slapped an RBI single to right before Rich hit his second two-RBI single of the night to make it 15-5 Bees.
While both offenses died down in the sixth and seventh to secure the win for the Bees, the Sea Unicorns actually had a little excitement for fans to watch on the mound. In fact, two position players would go out and throw for the home crowd on Thursday night.
Outfielder David Pengel pitched a scoreless sixth inning, only allowing two walks with one strikeout. After that, Jackson Powers impressed the home crowd with a scoreless inning of his own alongside his one strikeout.
The free passes ended up being a pain for both sides all night long. The Sea Unicorns pitching staff allowed 13 walks combined, while the Bees pitching staff only allowed four, with all of them being from Conley.
Norwich is now 28-28 on the campaign. The Sea Unicorns will head up to Nashua Friday night as they take on the Silver Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 6:03 p.m. E.T.
Win – Jake Harmony (2-1)
Loss – Kevin Penny (0-1)
Time – 3:06
Written by Mark Benway
