Sea Unicorns Sweep Important Doubleheader From Lowell on Sunday

Norwich, CT – Fun was in full swing on Sunday Funday, as the Sea Unicorns swept the doubleheader against the Lowell Spinners. In a playoff race where they control their own destiny, these wins were a necessity and the boys delivered. 

Jacob Schrage took the mound in Game One for Norwich and set the tone early. In four innings of work, the Stonington product only allowed one hit with four strikeouts and two walks. 

The Sea Unicorns notched the first run of the game in the third inning, after Kenny Noe sent a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring David Pengel. 

Sean McGettigan would enter in relief for Schrage in the fifth inning. The bullpen for Norwich has been a strength in recent play, and shined once again Sunday afternoon. McGettigan would throw for two innings, allowing no hits and striking out one. 

The offense would add some support for their bullpen arms in the sixth. A leadoff walk by Michael Fiatarone and Jake Howlett single put two runners on with two outs in the frame. Taylor Kaufman would get the crowd going, smashing a triple to deep center, scoring both runners. That wouldn’t be all for Kaufman, as a throwing error from Jack Stead on the play would allow him to score, making it a 4-0 Sea Unicorns lead. 

Shaun Flannery would enter the game in the seventh, looking to slam the door shut. He’s one of the best closers in the league, and proved it once again. Although he allowed two hits, he quickly took the air out of the Spinners offense, striking out one and keeping the shutout en route to a Norwich Game One victory. 

In Game Two, Joe Pitts toed the rubber. After pitching five innings of no-hit baseball last Sunday against Westfield, the Greenacres native continued that same dominance. In four innings, Pitts allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. 

The Spinners jumped out to an early lead, with Lorenzo Camilleri rocking an RBI double to right in the first. 

However, the Sea Unicorns immediately responded. Kenny Noe tapped a leadoff single to start the first before Lowell landed two quick outs. The Spinners wouldn’t escape unscathed, as CJ Nolan smashed a two run home-run over the left field wall to put the Sea Unicorns in front 2-1.

The onslaught would continue to pour on in the second inning, as the Norwich offense was firing on all cylinders. After two outs, back-to-back singles set the stage for Noe to smack a two-RBI double. Noe would come around to score on the next play, which was a TJ Baer RBI single to put Norwich up 5-1.

After Pitts was removed for Jacob Snyder, the young two-way athlete faced some trouble in his inning of work. Snyder only allowed one hit in the frame, but a trio of walks allowed one run to come across and score. However, he would escape the bases loaded jam by striking out Camilleri.

That would be the last run Lowell would score on the day, as Norwich would pile on two more runs. One would come across to score on a ground ball by Howlett before a throwing error caused chaos, eventually leading to Kaufman being thrown out at home. The seventh run would score in the sixth, as another fielding error by the Spinners allowed JP Kuczik to score.

The bullpen would slam the door shut in the final two innings to secure a doubleheader sweep for the Sea Unicorns, as Sean Connolly and Peter Glidden combined for two hitless frames and two strikeouts. 

Overall, Norwich outscored the Spinners 11-2 through the two seven inning contests. After failing to win on Saturday night despite scoring 10 runs, the Sea Unicorns didn’t waste any time winning on a warm Sunday afternoon.

The Sea Unicorns will have a day to rest before heading to Lowell for a rematch against the Spinners Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. E.T.

Game One

Win – Jacob Schrage (3-2)

Loss – Ian Keusch (2-5)

Time – 1:57

Game Two

Win – Joe Pitts (2-2)

Loss – Caden Smith (3-4)

Time – 1:55

Written by Mark Benway

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Wednesday, July 29th vs Westfield Starfires @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)

Midweek Ballpark Bundle

Wednesday night baseball just got a whole lot better! This bundle allows fans to purchase a premium seat and 2 hot dogs for just $15!

Friday, July 31st vs Worcester Bravehearts @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)

K Cancer Night & Postgame Fireworks

Join the fight against cancer and watch your favorite Sea Unicorns take the field! Stick around after the game for the final fireworks spectacle of the season. 

Presented by Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology

Fireworks presented by Liberty Bank