Sea Unicorns unable to complete comeback bid in home loss to Lowell
Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns just narrowly miss out on a comeback win as they fall 7-6 to the last place Lowell Spinners.
Lowell visited The Rose City for the first time since 2019, and their visit didn’t start off so nice. Norwich jumped on starting pitcher Aaron Masson fast, with three runs coming in the first inning before Masson exited without finishing the opening frame. After TJ Baer’s RBI double to put the Sea Unicorns up 3-0, Graham Willerer was able to stop the damage with a Paul Calandrelli strikeout.
Norwich’s starter John Devine would face some early struggles as well. A Bradley McCafferty leadoff walk would set the stage for a Jordan Henriquez two-run blast over the left field wall for one of the rare home runs in Dodd Stadium and bring Lowell back within one run. Quincy Kerr would single and steal two bases to get into scoring position, coming in to score on a Jack Quigley RBI single to tie the game at 3. A Cam Biller walk would be the end of Devine’s day in the second inning, and Tyler Fahey was welcomed into the game by a three-run shot over the left field wall by Esteban Dessureault for the second home run of the inning and put the Spinners up 6-3.
In the third, the Sea Unicorns decided to add on to the home run party at Dodd. Kenny Noe blasted a solo shot into right field and put Norwich back on the board, still down 6-4.
A quiet fourth inning would lead to a chaotic fifth for the Sea Unicorns and show their continued defensive struggles. Brett McKinnon walked to open the inning and stole second before advancing to third on a passed ball. A fielding error by Norwich, one of their six total errors on the day, would drive him in and put the Spinners up 7-4.
The Sea Unicorns were able to get some action on the basepaths in the seventh and get themselves back in this game. With two outs in the inning, Michael Fiatarone walked before coming around to score on a Taylor Kaufman RBI single and bring Norwich back within two.
Lowell was able to scare the home crowd in the eighth, with Quigley reaching base on a single before two HBP’s would load the bases with two outs in the frame. However, Sean Connolly was able to get out of the jam by getting McCafferty to fly out. The Spinners once again attempted to drive in some insurance in the ninth with Kerr getting all the way to third before Marco Zirpolo would end the inning on a strikeout.
Down 7-5, the Sea Unicorns attempted to create some magic with their backs against the wall in the ninth. Caden Williamson and Kaufman reached base on singles to put two runners on with two outs. David Pengel would pinch run for Kaufman and represent the game tying run at first. Brandon O’Neil would come up clutch, driving in an RBI on a single and advancing Pengel to third to put the tying run 90 feet away down 7-6. John Bureau would be struck by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, setting the stage for Baer to make history. However, Baer would force a fielder’s choice ground ball to second and end the game in heartbreak.
The Sea Unicorns are now 5-8 on the season. The team will have a day off on Friday before facing the Westfield Starfires in The Bay State Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Win – Graham Willerer (1-0)
Loss – John Devine (0-1)
Save – Josh Bryant (1)
Time – 3:20
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Sunday, June 14th vs Westfield Starfires @ 1:00pm (gates open at 12:00pm)
Sunday Funday
Sunday Funday will be one to remember! Following the game all kids 12 & under can head to the field to run the bases and have a catch in the outfield!
Presented by New London Public Schools Magnet Pathways.
Monday, June 15th vs Vermont Lake Monsters @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30pm)
Kids Eat Free!
It’s the return of one of the best promotions at Dodd Stadium! Every Monday home game, all kids 12 & under will receive a voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips and bottle of water. A great night to bring the whole family to the park!
Presented by BTW Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
