Norwich Drops Friday Night Double Header to Worcester

Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns dropped both games of their doubleheader on Friday night to the top seeded Worcester Bravehearts, falling 12-3 in the opener and 6-5 in the finale. Norwich now is responsible for an 8-11 record through 19 ballgames.

Game 1

The Bravehearts came out swinging to begin the twin bill scoring runs in each of the first 3 innings to build a commanding 8-1 lead. In the 1st, Jackson Marshall delivered the first run of the afternoon, driving a double to the right center field gap to score Evan O’Rourke who scored earlier in the frame. Evan Cali followed with a base hit to score Marshall and increase the Bravehearts lead to a pair.

Worcester continued to roll in the 2nd against Sea Unicorns starter Cam Thomas, who failed to record an out before being lifted. The Bravehearts began the inning with consecutive hits and a hit batsman to immediately load the bases. A walk to Chris Mondesir forced home a run to make it 3-0. Evan O’Rourke provided the knockout blow with an infield single to extend the Worcester lead to 4. With the first 5 batters all reaching base safely, Norwich elected to make a pitching change for Yale commit Matt Pearch. The Georgia native minimized further damage allowing just 1 run to cross the plate after entering in a bases loaded jam with no outs.

Norwich plated their first run of the afternoon in the home 2nd to cut the Worcester lead to 4. Jayden Novak began the frame smacking a leadoff triple to the wall in right field and later scored on a wild pitch to Anthony Tirado.

The offense continued to surge for the visitors in the 3rd adding another 3 runs to make it 8-1. The Bravehearts did their damage with one out collecting 5 straight hits to break the game open. Will Kraemer jumpstarted the Worcester attack, cranking a triple to the wall in right field to bring home Jake Hajdu. Cam LaGrassa followed with a double to plate Kraemer. Next, a wild pitch to Mondesir advanced LaGrassa to 3rd and was later driven in on a base hit to center field.

In the 4th, Norwich responded with a pair to reduce the Worcester lead to 5. Anthony Tirado scored Caden Fahy thanks to a one out RBI single into right. Later, the Sea Unicorns added a run on a successful double steal to bring home Fahy. Unfortunately, that would be all the offense Norwich would muster in Game 1.

Worcester continued their offensive rampage striking for a pair in the 5th and 7th in route to a convincing 12-3 victory in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Jack Quick helped produce both runs in the 5th on a base hit to left field. The error from the Norwich outfielder helped Worcester reach double digits.

The Bravehearts added on in the 7th on a Jackson Kraemer RBI single and a Jake Hadju sacrifice fly.

In total, Worcester mashed 14 hits in the Game 1 victory and nearly eclipsed their season mark for runs in a game at 13. As a team Worcester combined for a season best 16 hits in a lopsided 12-3 triumph in Game 1.

 

Win – Jake LeFrancois (3-0)

Loss- Cam Thomas (1-2)

Time – 2:30

 

Game 2

It was a pitcher’s duel in the finale of the doubleheader with the game remaining scoreless until the 3rd.

A one out double from Joe Frazetta in the 3rd was the first runner in scoring position. Kaleb Woodward plated the first run of the ballgame with an RBI single into left field to give the Bravehearts a 1-0 lead.

The visitors broke the game open in the 5th, striking for four runs on an inside-the-park home run. Worcester loaded the bases on an infield single and a pair of walks issued by Norwich starter Matt Wootton. With two outs in the frame, Wyatt Hoffman delivered the big blow, poking a ball down the right field line that cleared the bases. An apparent injury to the Sea Unicorns corner outfielder allowed an opportunity for Hoffman to race around the bases and ultimately score on the play to give the Bravehearts a commanding 5-0 advantage.

In the 7th, Chris Mondesir stole home to extend the Worcester lead to 6. Mondesir’s steal of home would ultimately stand as the winning run after Norwich mounted a furious rally with five runs in the bottom half to pull within one.

The Sea Unicorns came to life in their final chance at the plate after being held to just 3 hits by Worcester pitching. Command trouble from the Bravehearts and a defensive miscue helped Norwich load the bases. The second hit batsman of the inning produced the first run of the night for Norwich. Worcester elected to make a pitching change with the bases remaining loaded and 2 outs. Despite the pitching change, Connor Scanlan unloaded the bases with a double to left field cutting the Worcester lead to 2. Jack Byrne entered the ballgame to pinch run at second and Anthony Tirado drove him home with a clutch RBI single into left field to make it a 1-run game. Unfortunately, that would be the closest Norwich would come in the comeback effort.

Norwich will look to bounce back tonight and snap their 3-game skid against the Nashua Silver Knights. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. from Dodd Stadium.

Win – Randy Guzman (2-0)

Loss – Matt Wootton (1-1)

Save – Keegan Antelman (S,1)

Time – 2:15

UPCOMING PROMOTION

Bark In the Park 2

Due to the rainy weather and delayed start to our first Bark In the Park game, we are bringing back this popular promotion for a second chance! Once again, fans with dogs will be restricted to seating areas in the left field grandstand and will purchase these special tickets at the left field gates closest to the BBQ Pavilion. All dogs in attendance must be on a leash and owners will also be requested to sign waivers upon entry to the ballpark.

Presented by: Norwich Pet Resort & Spa and Creature Comforts Animal Inn

Written by Adam Plager