Sea Unicorns Loss to Lowell Tightens Playoff Chase

Lowell, MA -The comeback attempt falls short at LeLacheur Park, as the Sea Unicorns lose 7-4 to the Lowell Spinners on Tuesday night. 

Hudson Castillo ran into some trouble early for Norwich, as the Spinners put two runners in scoring position with two outs in the second inning. A balk from Castillo would score the first run of the game for Lowell before a wild pitch scored Zander Bratspis to make it 2-0. 

In the fourth, Castillo would exit the game after loading the bases with no outs. A Nic Lambo single, Cam Biller double, and Spencer Warfield walk got Norwich in quite the sticky situation. Kevin Penny would enter the game, getting the first out on a flyout before a fielder’s choice would score a run to make it 3-0 Spinners. 

Castillo ended his outing after three innings of work, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

The fifth inning would bring more trouble for the Sea Unicorns. After a Marco Zirpolo leadoff single, Jack Stead smacked an RBI double to make it 4-0. On the following play, Jack Quigley hit an RBI single to make it 5-0 Lowell, with the Spinners in full control of the game up to this point. 

Norwich would score their first run of the game in the sixth. After David Pengel singled and Kenny Noe walked, Jackson Powers slapped an RBI single to center.

However, the Sea Unicorns bullpen would continue to struggle. In the home half of the sixth, the Spinners would bat around once again. Will Gregor entered the game for Norwich and was immediately knocked around, as a walk would lead to Brett Gallo knocking an RBI double to make it 6-1. Later in the frame, Zirpolo hit an RBI single to put Lowell up 7-1. 

Janvier Diaz would enter the game for the Sea Unicorns and finally be the answer to shutting down the Spinners offensive attack. In the end, Diaz threw over two hitless innings with four strikeouts.

The Sea Unicorns would make things interesting in the top of the eighth, showing some positive life offensively. The boys had two runners in scoring position with one out before Michael Fiatarone rocked a two-RBI double to right field, making it a 7-3 ballgame. After stealing third, JP Kuczik knocked an RBI single to drive in Fiatarone and bring Norwich within three runs. 

Despite getting runners on the corners in the ninth inning, two strikeouts to Noe and Fiatarone would bring an end to a Sea Unicorns comeback and cement the victory for the Spinners. 

Offensively, Jackson Powers and David Pengel were the highlights of the team. Powers ended the night going 2-5 with an RBI and stolen base, while Pengel went 2-4 with two runs and a stolen base. 

The Sea Unicorns now head back home to Dodd Stadium, hosting the Westfield Starfires on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. E.T.

Win – Hayden Schimoler (1-4)

Loss – Hudson Castillo (0-1)

Time – 2:50

Written by Mark Benway

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, July 29th vs Westfield Starfires @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)

Midweek Ballpark Bundle

Wednesday night baseball just got a whole lot better! This bundle allows fans to purchase a premium seat and 2 hot dogs for just $15!

Friday, July 31st vs Worcester Bravehearts @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)

K Cancer Night & Postgame Fireworks

Join the fight against cancer and watch your favorite Sea Unicorns take the field! Stick around after the game for the final fireworks spectacle of the season. 

Presented by Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology

Fireworks presented by Liberty Bank