Norwich Storms Back After Trailing Early
The Norwich Sea Unicorns took the opener of the 2-game series against the Vermont Lake Monsters with a 6-3 victory. Norwich used a big 5th inning in the comeback effort last night to secure their 6th win of the season.
It was a slow start for the Sea Unicorns falling into an early hole trailing 3-0. Vermont quickly applied the pressure against Norwich Starter Jack Ohman striking for a pair of runs in the top of the 1st. The Lake Monsters did their early damage taking advantage of three walks issued by Ohman in the first, along with a pair of errors committed by the Norwich defense. Vermont added another run in the third on a passed ball to bring home their 3rd run of the ballgame.
Norwich had to make an early call to the bullpen, making a pitching change in the 3rd inning for reliever Andrew Gaines with a pair of outs and a bases loaded jam. Gaines was able to put away the first batter he faced with a critical strikeout to end the inning and keep Norwich in the game.
After being held scoreless through the first 4 frames by Lake Monsters starter Jackson Beattie, Norwich was able to finally crack through in the 5th inning. The Sea Unicorns began the inning with 4 straight hits begun by catcher Aidan Baglino who singled to center. Gavin Shaddix followed with a single of his own to give Norwich runners at first and second with nobody out. The turning point in the inning came next when Anthony Tirado legged out an infield base hit on a softly hit ball up the first base line and the Lake Monster first basemen was unable to apply the tag on the speedy Tirado and Baglino was able to come home and score amidst all the chaos in the infield. Alex Irizarry kept the line moving for the Sea Unicorns with a double sliced down the right field line to drive home Shaddix and cut the Lake Monster lead to 1. Norwich was able to even the ballgame and take the lead on a sacrifice fly by Brennan Hyde to bring home Tirado who tagged up from 3rd and a throwing error by the Lake Monster shortstop allowed the hosts to take their first lead of the night.
The Sea Unicorns were able to add on a pair of important insurance markers in the bottom of the 6th to take a commanding 6-3 lead. Nick Tomasetto began the inning for Norwich with an infield base hit and was later brought home on a ringing RBI double by catcher Aidan Baglino. Alex Irrizarry came through once again for Norwich with his second RBI of the game on a base hit into right field.
Despite trailing by three 3 early in the ballgame, Norwich was able to respond with 6 unanswered runs in the comeback effort last night. The bullpen for the Sea Unicorns was instrumental in the series opener tossing 6.1 innings of shutout baseball allowing just 4 hits while striking out 11. Andrew Gaines earned the victory (2-0) for Norwich in relief and Jimmy Mulvaney earned the save (1) recording the final 6 outs to close out Norwich’s 6th win of the summer and help improve the Sea Unicorns record to 6-3.
These same two teams will meet once again this morning to conclude the series. It is the final Education Day of the season at Dodd Stadium presented by Pequot Museum and Research Center. First pitch is scheduled for 11 am EST.