Matt Wootton Delivers Another Masterpiece in Victory over Westfield

Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns stayed hot in July, cruising past the Westfield Starfires 6-1 on Saturday night. The win improves Norwich to 15-18 overall and 4-1 in the month.

Norwich threatened early, loading the bases in the 2nd but couldn’t break through. They finally cashed in during the 4th, plating a pair to take a 2-0 lead.  Jack Sweeney began the frame drawing a leadoff walk. An error from the Westfield third baseman allowed Connor Scanlan to reach, giving Norwich immediate traffic on the bases with no outs. Joe Durso delivered the game’s first run, cracking a single into left field to score Sweeney. With runners stationed at the corners and still no outs, Gavin O’Brien lifted a fly ball to right field deep enough for Scanlan to score on the sac fly and extend the Norwich lead to 2.

The 2-0 score held until the home 7th, when Norwich opened the floodgates, erupting for 4 runs against the Westfield bullpen. Aidan Stern sparked the rally with a bunt single and quickly swiped second. Alec Warden followed with an infield single, and a throwing error by the third baseman allowed Stern to advance to third and Warden to move up to second. Chace Chaplin smoked an RBI single into left to score Stern, then stole second to give Norwich a pair of baserunners in scoring position with no outs. Gavin O’Brien followed with his second sac fly of the night to make it 4-0.

Despite a pitching change from Westfield, Norwich kept the pressure on with two outs. Jack Sweeney drew a walk, and a successful double steal pushed Chaplin to third and Sweeney to second. Connor Scanlan came through with a two-run single to give the Sea Unicorns a 6-0 cushion.

Matt Wootton dominated once again for the Sea Unicorns, tossing 7 shutout innings with 7 strikeouts and no walks for the second straight start. The victory is Wootton’s 3rd of the summer, and Norwich is now 4-1 in games he starts.

Westfield plated their only run of the night in the 9th inning against Norwich reliever DJ Peterson. Alex Benevento broke up the shoutout bid with 2 outs in the frame, driving a single into left field to score Griffin Mills who walked earlier in the inning.

Win – Matt Wootton (3-1)

Loss – Brendan Murphy (0-4)

Time – 2:38

Norwich is back in action this afternoon for a matinee matchup with the Worcester Bravehearts. Hector Alejandro will make his return to the Sea Unicorns opposite Pat Clemmey (0-0). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTION

Sunday Funday with postgame Kids Run the Bases and Have a Catch in the Outfield

Children 12 & under are invited on the field following the game to Run the Bases one time and Have a Catch in the Outfield with their families for 15 minutes.

Baseballs for Have a Catch are presented by: CT DOT

Sunday’s are also our First Mate’s Club Days

The First Mate’s Club is open to children 12 & under. As a member, you will receive a ticket to every Sunday home game, receive a t-shirt and a credential to show off your membership in style, receive discounts at concessions and merchandise stands on Sunday’s.

Presented by: K & H Equipment of Plainfield

Written by Adam Plager