Despite dropping their regular season finale Sunday afternoon to the Road Warriors 6-2, the Norwich Sea Unicorns finished the regular season posting a Futures League best record of 37-21. Norwich received some help from the New Britain Bees defeating Westfield 9-6 yesterday to help Norwich secure the top seed heading into the postseason.
The Road Warriors offense began quickly taking an early 3-0 lead in the 1st. The visitors began the ballgame recording back-to-back hits, and benefited from an error committed by the Norwich right fielder, allowing baserunners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Nick Pappas delivered for the Road Warriors, cranking a one out triple to the gap in left center field to drive home a pair of runs. A single by Liam Foley continued the offensive surge bringing home Pappas from 3rd to extend the Road Warriors lead to 3.
Norwich tallied a run in the 3rd to cut the deficit to 2, but that would be the closest Norwich would come. Jack Sweeney began the frame with a base hit to left field and later Bryson Plante reached via a one out walk. A fielder’s choice ground out by Anthony Tirado provided Norwich runners at the corners with 2 outs. The Sea Unicorns brought home their first run of the afternoon thanks to a passed ball that trickled away from Tommy Goonan behind the plate to allow Sweeney to score.
In the 4th, the Road Warriors answered back with their second 3 run frame of the contest to take control of the ballgame, holding a 6-1 lead. The Road Warriors took full advantage of a pair of errors committed by the Norwich shortstop. Marcus Ollivierre provided the big blow hammering a 2-run double to the wall in left field.
The Sea Unicorns responded with a run in the bottom of the frame, but that would be all the offense for Norwich. Nick Sturino brought home the final run of the afternoon for the Sea Unicorns, wiring a one out triple to the wall in left field.
The ballgame was cut short after 5 innings due to weather. Since the game completed 5 innings it is ruled as an official contest.
PLAYOFF PREVEW
The Norwich Sea Unicorns will begin their title defense as they welcome the 4th seeded Vermont Lake Monsters to the Rose City for a best of 3 series. This is a rematch of last season’s championship when Norwich won a winner take all final to secure the first championship in Sea Unicorns history.
Norwich this season is 7-3 against the Vermont Lake Monsters and own a record of 5-0 at home against the Lake Monsters.
The Norwich offense has been led by Seton Hall commit AJ Soldra, owning a batting average of .336 over 36 games this summer. Soldra leads the team in OPS (.964), SLG % (.523), doubles (8), triples (8), runs scored (29), and is tied for a team-high in stolen bases with 20.
On the mound, Norwich has been led by UCONN product Hector Alejandro, owning a record of 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA. Alejandro tossed the first no-hitter in Sea Unicorns history July 20th against the Worcester Bravehearts and was just the 2nd in league history to accomplish the feat. The Waterbury, Connecticut native has held opponents to 3 hits and 1 earned run over his last 15 innings of work while striking out 14.
The push to the mountain top begins tonight at 6:30 p.m. EST from historic Dodd Stadium. Secure your tickets now and help cheer on the Sea Unicorns as they begin their title defense.