Fast Start Propels Norwich to Opening Day Victory

Westfield, MA – The Norwich Sea Unicorns began the 2025 season with a 9-7 victory over the Westfield Starfires Wednesday afternoon at Bullens Field.

Norwich did not waste time striking for a pair of runs in the top of the 1st against Westfield starter Connor Niemiec. Early command trouble from Niemiec set the stage for the Norwich offense. Ian Moser cashed in for the visitors, cracking a 2 out, bases loaded single into right field to give Norwich an early 2-0 lead.

In the 2nd, Norwich extended their lead to 3. Jack Sweeney began the turbulence on the base paths dumping a one out single into left. Aidan Stern followed with a base hit to center and an error by the Westfield centerfielder allowed Sweeney to advance to 3rd, giving Norwich runners at the corners. A ground out to first brought home the 3rd run of the game for the Sea Unicorns.

The offense exploded in the 5th for 6 runs to take a commanding 9-0 lead. Norwich recorded just one hit in the frame but took complete advantage of Westfield’s defensive miscues including a pair of errors and 3 walks issued by Westfield pitching. Alec Warden delivered the big blow, smacking a bases clearing double to centerfield. Sweeney finished the score fest with a sacrifice fly to right.

Despite a 9-run lead, it wasn’t a smooth ride to the finish line for Norwich as Westfield battled back in the late innings to close their deficit to 2. The Starfires got on the board in the 6th to cut into the Norwich lead with a 3-run inning. The hosts scratched across four in the eighth, turning Norwich’s once-comfortable lead into a 2-run game heading into the 9th.

Cam Thomas locked down the save for Norwich after escaping a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the 9th. Thomas preserved the victory for the Sea Unicorns with his 2nd strikeout of the inning. Ryan Camp earned the victory for Norwich, tossing 1.2 innings of no-hit baseball in relief.

Norwich will complete their mini-2-game series against the Starfires this morning with first pitch once again schedule for 10:30 a.m. Luke Cardman will take the mound for Norwich and will go opposite Sam Formus of Westfield in the series finale.

Win- Ryan Camp (1-0)

Loss – Connor Niemiec (0-1)

Save – Cam Thomas (S, 1)

Time – 2:59