Sea Unicorns Head to All Star Break On Winning Note
Norwich, CT – The Sea Unicorns go into the All Star break with a bang, firing on all cylinders to mercy the Westfield Starfires 10-0 at Dodd Stadium.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon in the Rose City after thunderstorms rained out Saturday night’s matchup against the Lowell Spinners. However, the much needed rest day looked to help the Norwich roster, with both the offense and pitching performing to their highest ability.
Joe Pitts took the mound for the Sea Unicorns, and pitched with nothing to lose. The UConn arm exited the game after throwing five no-hit innings with three walks and three strikeouts. Shaun Flannery entered the game in the sixth and continued the no-hitter, racking up a strikeout himself. However, Jack Scholz would allow the first hit in the seventh on what was an unusual looking ground ball off the bat that spun away from the 1st baseman.
Offensively, the top four hitters in the lineup carried most of the weight. Kenny Noe went 4-4 with three runs and two RBIs to earn the Prime Performer of the Night, while the two through four hitters continued the success.
Those players would be Matt Park, TJ Baer, and Jackson Powers. By the end of the ballgame, they combined to go 8-12 with four runs and three RBI’s. CJ Nolan and Jake Howlett would also have hot days at the plate, racking up the other five RBIs.
On the other side, Westfield starter Cam Fisher had the exact opposite of success. In three innings of play, the UMass-Boston product let up nine hits for seven runs with two walks and three strikeouts. Ethan Slowik would also face some trouble out of the bullpen, allowing three runs with only one earned in his few innings of work.
The offensive attack for the Sea Unicorns started right away in the first inning. Back-to-back hits to start the game led to Park hitting an RBI single for the first run of the day. Another single loaded the bases before Nolan walked to score another run. Down 2-0 with the bases still full, Fisher finally got some outs with two quick ones to almost escape the jam. However, Howlett had other plans, smashing a bases clearing three-RBI double to go up 5-0.
The attack continued in the second, with the Sea Unicorns putting two runners in scoring position before the first out. Powers would strike with an RBI single, with a fielder’s choice scoring the seventh run on the next at-bat.
In the fourth, Park drove in another run on an extra base hit to right, making it an 8-0 Norwich ballgame. They would make it a double-digit lead in the fifth, with Noe smashing a two-RBI double to left. However, Noe would be thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit to a triple, ending the frame.
Scholz entered the game in the seventh, looking to close the door and mercy rule the Starfires. After two quick outs, it looked like the Sea Unicorns were going to get the combined no-hitter. However, Scholz walked the next batter before Anthony Armenia reached on a single to end the no-no bid. Another walk would load the bases, putting the mercy in jeopardy. Thankfully, Scholz would strikeout Alan Choo to secure the win for the Sea Unicorns, ending the home stand on a high note before the All Star break.
The Sea Unicorns are now 20-24 on the campaign. Norwich will now enjoy the next few days off for the All Star Game in Nashua. Later in the week, the boys will take on the Nashua Silver Knights at Dodd Stadium on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Win – Joe Pitts (1-2)
Loss – Cam Fisher (2-3)
Time – 2:10
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Friday, July 24th vs Nashua Silver Knights @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Postgame Fireworks
Hang around after the conclusion of the game for a fireworks spectacle!
Presented by Liberty Bank
Saturday, July 25th vs New Britain Bees @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Christmas In July!
Christmas has come early for Sea Unicorn fans! Come to the game and receive the Santa hat giveaway.
