Worcester got started early with runs in the first two innings. The Sea Unicorns answered right back with a pair of RBI singles in the bottom of the second. It was catcher Ben Jerome and center fielder Ray Leonzi who helped tie things up. Despite being eighth and ninth in the order, the two Connecticut natives were the only Norwich batters to record multiple hits.
Kevin Murphy’s squad eventually pulled ahead in the fifth thanks to third baseman DJ Perron. The URI product tallied his 21st RBI of the year, which moved him into sole possession of third place for most in the league. Meanwhile, the Braveheart offense went quiet for much of the middle innings.
In his Sea Unicorn debut, starting pitcher Joe Castrichini went four frames and allowed two runs with four hits. His replacement, Sacred Heart’s Charlie Costello, retired the first six batters he faced. Despite his early success, Worcester awoke and put up four runs on three hits.
After that, Norwich couldn’t recover and only three batters reached base in the final three innings. The Sea Unicorns’ biggest issue though, was defense. Norwich committed a season-high five errors, three of which occurred in that fatal seventh.
The Sea Unicorns had their two-game win streak snapped and now sit at 20-14. Norwich won’t be back at home until Friday when Westfield comes to town. First pitch is set for 6:30.