Sea Unicorns Outlasted by Starfires in 10 Inning Affair

Norwich and Westfield’s 2023 series opener stayed close throughout and went down to the wire. Nonetheless, the Sea Unicorns ran out of steam and the Starfires prevailed 3-2 in the 10th. 

Norwich scored first at home for the sixth time in a row. With two on and two out in the second inning, shortstop Dean Ferrara lined an RBI single up the middle. The Sea Unicorns tallied a third of their nine hits in the frame, but only had one run to show for it.

Westfield waited until the fifth to get on the board and capitalized off a wild pitch from Eastern Connecticut’s Matt Wootton. In his second start of the season, the Milford native tossed five innings of one-run ball while giving up two hits, a walk and four strikeouts. 

The bottom half saw Norwich jump back in front thanks to a hit-by-pitch by returner Zac Zyons. However, the Starfires quickly answered in the sixth and the contest remained deadlocked at two heading into the final frame. 

After a one-out double by newcomer Zack Kovalchik, the Sea Unicorns had a real chance to walk it off. But, a groundout and a strikeout meant extras for the first time all year. 

Again, a wild pitch proved fatal and allowed Westfield to secure the lead it needed to win the game. 

Norwich suffered its third loss at Dodd this year and dropped to 8-9. The Sea Unicorns have a chance to bounce back at home against the Silver Knights. First pitch is set for 4:00.