The Norwich Sea Unicorns continued their winning ways on the road last night, defeating Nashua 5-3. Norwich has now won back-to-back games to improve to 16-10 and have returned atop the Futures League standings.
Nashua did not waste much time getting started offensively, taking an early 1-0 lead in the home 1st. Owen Carey took Norwich starter Timothy Lewis deep with 2 outs to help Nashua strike first. Lewis went just 3 innings in his start allowing 1 run and 2 hits against the Silver Knights offense.
The ballgame remained 1-0 until Norwich punched back in the top of the 5th for 3 runs. Nashua starter Cam Keaveney ran into immediate danger when Norwich loaded the bases with no outs. Keaveney was then able to induce a 4-6-3 double play, but the Sea Unicorns had the game level at 1. Following the double play, Nashua made a call to the bullpen looking for the final out in the inning. The Silver Knights had an opportunity to escape the inning without any further damage, but the second error of the frame committed by the Nashua defense allowed Norwich to take the lead and the inning to continue. Next, Izaiah Walker delivered a single back up the middle to give Norwich runners at the corners. MD Conner followed, producing his first RBI of the summer, cracking a base hit to left field to help Norwich collect their 3rd run of the inning.
The Silver Knights responded with a run of their own in the home 5th to cut the Norwich lead to 1. Nashua did their damage with a pair of hits taking advantage of a lead off walk. Norwich immediately responded in the 6th to restore their 2-run lead. After retiring the lead off hitter, Nashua reliever Tom Rioux ran into trouble issuing a walk to Nick Sturino and a single to Trey Porter to give Norwich runners at 1st and 2nd with one out. Christian Stratis came through for the Sea Unicorns, poking a single into right to bring home Sturino. The RBI for Stratis ended the night for Rioux, as Nashua elected to bring in new a reliever to spot the final 2 outs in the inning and end the threat for Norwich.
Once again Nashua cut the Norwich lead to 1 with a run in the 8th. Sea Unicorns reliever Gavin Hawkes set down the first 2 batters he faced in order before the Silver Knights rallied with 2 outs. A double down the right field line and a single into right brought Nashua back within 1. Hawkes minimized any further danger taking care of the following batter on a fly out to the Norwich third baseman in foul territory. The Rider University product finished his night tossing 5 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits. Hawkes earned the victory with another strong relief outing for his 4th win of the summer and has now lowered his ERA to 2.17 over 20.2 innings.
Peter Link walloped his first home run of the summer in the 9th to provide some insurance for the Sea Unicorns. David Rodriguez locked down the victory for Norwich, firing a scoreless 9th inning to help Norwich earn the road victory.
The Sea Unicorns are back in action tonight on the road against the Worcester Bravehearts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST from Fitton Field.