Sea Unicorns Show Toughness But Can’t Hold Lead in Loss To Vermont
Burlington, VT – The Sea Unicorns lose the series in Vermont, falling 9-7 in a thrilling game against the Lake Monsters
The Sea Unicorns fell down early, with Vermont taking shots in the second inning. Back-to-back walks and a Zack Geertsma single loaded the bases before Tyler Wiltsey hit a 2 RBI single to left to score the first runs of the game. Another walk to Tommy Popoff would load the bases once again before Patrick Sharks hit a groundout to score another run. After Norwich secured the second out on a lineout, a wild pitch scored Wiltsey. Immediately after that blunder put the Lake Monsters up 4-0, Hunter Strohm knocked an RBI single to third. Another walk would be the end of the day for Matt Tabet before Jack Scholz stopped the bleeding with a fielder’s choice.
Down 5-0, Norwich needed some new energy, and they summoned all of it in the third inning. After a quick flyout, back-to-back singles and a Michael Fiatarone walk loaded the bases. A wild pitch would score TJ Baer for their first run before a Matt Park sacrifice fly would make it 5-2. The inning continued with Taylor Kaufman walking to put runners on the corners with two outs, leading to a fielding error scoring Fiatarone. Kaufman would score, stealing home while Henry Ayers got caught in that double-steal between second and first base. After their little rally, the Sea Unicorns found themselves right back in the game only down one run at 5-4.
Norwich’s good fortune would strike again in the fifth. A Kenny Noe HBP and Fiatarone single would put two on base with one out before another fielding error scored Noe to tie the game. Ayers would hit an RBI single to give the Sea Unicorns their first lead of the day at 6-5. A fielder’s choice would score Kaufman after he stole third base, giving Norwich a 7-5 lead.
However, the lead would be short lived as Vermont answered right back in their half of the fifth. A Jack Lopez single and Jake Dunlap walk put two on with one out before a fielder’s choice and error from the Sea Unicorns defense scored Lopez to make it 7-6. Adam Carpenter would come in for Scholz and immediately give up the lead on a Wiltsey RBI single to tie the game at 7.
Vermont attempted to snatch the lead in the sixth. A Bryan Richman single and Strohm walk put the first two runners on base before a sac bunt moved both into scoring position. The Sea Unicorns defense would prevail, as Brendan Walsh lined out to Kaufman, who threw Richman out at the plate to keep it tied.
Norwich would have their chance to take the lead in the seventh. Park would get on base through a HBP and advance to second on a wild pitch. Kaufman would fly out to advance Park to third, putting the go-ahead run 90 feet away. However, Reed Stygles would strikeout the next two batters to end the inning.
The tie would finally be lost in the home half of the seventh, with Geertsma smashing a solo home run over the left center wall to give the Lake Monsters an 8-7 lead.
Vermont would add on in the eighth with some insurance. After two outs and a Richman single, Lopez walked to put two on base to try and extend the Lake Monsters’ grasp. Walsh would take advantage of the opportunity, lining an RBI single to first base before an error allowed Lopez to advance to third. Dunlap walked to load the bases, but Shaun Flannery would escape the jam by getting Geertsma to flyout.
The ninth would be the Sea Unicorns’ last chance to come back into the game, only down two runs at 9-7. Fiatarone led the inning with a walk before Park reached on a fielder’s choice, with Fiatarone out at second for the first out. CJ Nolan would enter the game to pinch run for Park and eventually advance to second base on a balk. However, it wouldn’t matter as a Kaufman flyout and Ayers groundout ended the game and allowed Vermont to sweep the short series at home.
The Sea Unicorns are now 14-20 on the campaign. Norwich will have a day off to rest before heading back to Dodd Stadium to take on the Westfield Starfires Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Win – Reed Stygles (1-0)
Loss – Sean McGettigan (1-1)
Save – Sam Labrecque (7)
Time – 3:28
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Wednesday, July 8th vs Westfield Starfires @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Midweek Ballpark Bundle
Wednesday nights will become your favorite night of the week with our brand new bundle for the summer! The bundle allows fans to purchase a premium seat and 2 hot dogs for just $15. Can’t beat that deal!
Thursday, July 9th DOUBLEHEADER vs Worcester Bravehearts @ 4:00pm (gates open at 3:00)
Thirsty Thursday
It’s another Thirsty Thursday at Dodd Stadium! Come on down to the ballpark for some great beer specials and exciting Sea Unicorns baseball!
Presented by Narragansett Beer
