Sea Unicorns Win Final Game against Vermont in come from behind fashion
Burlington, VT – The Sea Unicorns battle and find a way to take the final game of the series away from the Vermont Lake Monsters, winning 6-4 Friday night.
Although it’s beginning to sound like a broken record, the Sea Unicorns once again came out swinging fast and striking right away in the first. CJ Nolan would reach base on a fielding error, followed by a Caden Williamson single to put runners on the corners. A double steal would score Nolan to give Norwich the early 1-0 lead, while a throwing error would advance Williamson to third. However, the offense would leave him stranded after three quick outs.
The Lake Monsters bats were able to wake up and form a response in the second inning. A Tommy Popoff single and a Elias Huber double would put both runners in scoring position. Zach Geertsma would drive in Popoff on a sacrifice fly to tie the game. After Huber stole third base with one out, the Norwich pitching staff forced two quick outs to end the frame.
The Sea Unicorns wouldn’t be tied for long. In the third inning, Michael Fiatarone would reach base on a single before coming in to score on the following play due to a Jake Howlett RBI triple. Jack Treat would walk to put runners on the corners with two outs before a Jackson Powers groundout would end the rally.
The back-and-forth struggle for the lead would continue, with the Lake Monsters making some noise in their half of the third. After two quick outs, back-to-back singles and a stolen base would put two runners in scoring position. Popoff would rock an RBI single to left to tie the game before Huber smacked a 2 RBI double to take the 4-2 lead.
Norwich would come back alive in the fifth and never look back, with the team holding Vermont scoreless for the remainder of the game. With runners on first and second with two outs, Treat would be struck by a pitch to load the bases. Down two runs, Powers would strike with a 2 RBI single to left center and tie the game at 4. On the very next play, Luke Maltacea would give the Sea Unicorns the lead with an RBI single of his own to center.
Up 5-4, the Norwich pitching staff got into some trouble in the home half of the fifth. Jake Dunlap, Huber, and Geertsma would all walk to load the bases with only one out in the inning. However, Matt Shampine would enter the game and strikeout the next two batters to escape the jam unscathed.
The Sea Unicorns looked to add some insurance in the sixth. David Pengel would reach base safely on a single before stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball. Williamson would knock an RBI single to right center, scoring Pengel and making it a 6-4 Norwich lead.
Vermont would inch closer to scoring and attempted to get back into this game in the seventh. Dunlap and Huber would walk before both advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch with one out. However, Shampine would once again strikeout the next two batters and get out of the inning.
The Lake Monsters would get another runner into scoring position in the eighth inning. Tyler Wiltsey reached base safely on a single before advancing to second on a wild pitch and advancing to third. However, the Norwich pitching staff was able to shut it down and not allow the run to score.
In the ninth, the Lake Monsters got some action on the basepaths hoping for a miracle. Dunlap reached base on a walk before advancing to third on a Geertsma single to put runners on the corners with two outs. Hunter Strohm entered the game as a pinch hitter to be Vermont’s last hope at winning. Shaun Flannery would put a quick end to that slimmer of hope, striking out Strohm to end the game and secure the road win for the Sea Unicorns.
The Sea Unicorns are now 12-13 on the campaign. Norwich will head to Nashua and face the Silver Knights to finish out their road trip Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:03 p.m. ET.
Win – Elijah Wells (1-1)
Loss – Ethan Freed (2-1)
Save – Shaun Flannery (1)
Time – 3:24
written by Mark Benway
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Monday, June 29th vs Nashua Silver Knights @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Kids Eat Free!
Back-to-back weeks of free meal Mondays! All kids 12 & under will receive a voucher for a hot dog, bag of chips and bottle of water.
Presented by BTW Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Wednesday, July 1st vs Lowell Spinners @ 6:30pm (gates open at 5:30)
Midweek Ballpark Bundle
Wednesday nights will become your favorite night of the week with our brand new bundle for the summer! The bundle allows fans to purchase a premium seat and 2 hot dogs for just $15. Can’t beat that deal!
