Nashua’s Early Offensive Surge Too Much for Norwich in Wednesday’s Road Meeting
The Norwich Sea Unicorns dropped their third consecutive contest to the Nashua Silver Knights, falling 12-4 on Wednesday. Norwich’s defeat in the Gate City drops the Sea Unicorns to 20-15.
Nashua took an early 2-0 lead in the home 1st thanks to the 4th home run of the summer for Owen Carey. The Silver Knights did all their damage with a pair of outs after Norwich starter Gavin Hawkes retired the first 2 batters he faced in order. Nater Wachter continued his success against Norwich pitching, delivering a 2 out double to center field to set the stage for Owen Carey. The Nashua first baseman took advantage of a 2-0 count walloping his 4th home run of the summer.
Norwich cut Nashua’s early lead in half in the 3rd, plating their first run of the night. Trey Porter began the frame with a base hit into center field. Porter wasted no time navigating his way around the base paths thanks to a balk by Nashua starter Jason Libby to advance into scoring position. Later, Porter stole 3rd for his 3rd swiped bag of the summer. Antonio Ducatelli brought home the Norwich center fielder with a ground out to the shortstop.
The host immediately responded, striking for 6 runs in the bottom of the inning to take a commanding 8-1 lead. Nashua began the inning sending 8 batters to the plate and scoring 5 runs before an out was recorded. It was at this juncture that Norwich elected to make a pitching change to bring in Giovanni Conte. The UCONN product retired Nashua’s next 3 hitters in order to escape the inning with just 1 run crossing the plate on a fielder’s choice ground out.
In the 4th and 5th, the Sea Unicorns produced a run in each frame. Shaun Callahan began the Norwich 4th reaching on an error committed by the Nashua first baseman. A single by Chris DiPrima gave the Sea Unicorns runners at first and second with no outs. Kaiden Dossa delivered for Norwich with a pair of outs, lacing a single into left field to bring home Callahan.
Back-to-back doubles for the Sea Unicorns in the 5th helped Norwich score their 3rd run of the night. Ducatelli smashed a lead off double to center field and was quickly driven in on Peter Link’s 1st double of the summer. Link has now registered all 3 of his RBIs this summer against Nashua and Ducatelli has smacked 3 of his 4 doubles this summer against Nashua pitching.
Reliever Giovanni Conte was strong in his outing allowing just 1 run in 3 innings of work. The lone run Conte surrendered came in the 6th inning after allowing a lead off triple that was brought home on a wild pitch. After allowing the first 2 batters to reach base safely in the 6th, Conte departed for reliever Bryson Plante.
Unfortunately, it was a rocky outing for Plante, who struggled with command. The Norwich reliever allowed 3 runs in 1.2 innings of work, allowing a pair of hits and issuing 5 walks.
Norwich added their final run of the night in the 8th inning. Dossa reached on a fielder’s choice after Scott Penney began the frame with a base hit. Dossa’s first stolen base of the summer moved him into scoring position and a passed ball advanced the Yale product to 3rd. Ducatelli continued his strong offensive surge with an RBI single.
Norwich will look to get back into the win column and snap their 3-game skid tonight with a meeting against the Worcester Bravehearts. It is Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark with specials on Narragansett presented by The Famous Narragansett Beer Company. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST.