Sea Unicorns 9th Inning Rally Falls Short in Saturday Night Loss to Nashua
Norwich, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns fell short in their comeback mission on Saturday night falling to the Nashua Silver Knights 6-4. The defeat is Norwich’s 4th in a row while Nashua collected their 6th straight win. Norwich is now responsible for an 8-12 record through 20 ballgames.
It was a pitcher’s duel through the 6th inning at Dodd Stadium with both sides being held scoreless and 3 hits combined.
Norwich starter Frank Spirito shined in his 4 innings of work holding the Nashua offense to just 1 hit while striking out 5. Opposite him Silver Knights starter Andrew Chenevert was equally impressive quieting the Norwich offense to 1 hit over 5 innings with 3 punchouts.
Nashua opened the scoring in the 6th inning plating a pair to take a 2-0 lead. Sea Unicorns reliever Justin Gouin ran into immediate danger allowing the first 2 batters to reach safely before spotting his 1st out in the frame. Joseph Zorc delivered the first run of the night for the visitors wiring a one out single to score Dylan Littlefield. Patrick Shrake followed with a base hit to center field to load the bases for Nashua and ended the night for Gouin. Eli Della Bitta walked the first batter he faced, forcing in the second run of the inning, but bounced back with back-to-back strikeouts to limit the damage.
The offense continued for Nashua in the 7th thanks to the first home run of the summer for Jake Haarde to increase the Silver Knights lead to 4.
Both sides traded runs in the 8th inning. River Hart extended the visitors’ lead to five with a one-out double into the left-center field gap. Norwich answered in the bottom half, sparked by Aidan Stern’s bunt single to lead off the inning. Stern advanced to second on a throwing error by the Nashua reliever, then moved to third on a wild pitch and later scored to trim the deficit.
Ernie Little restored Nashua’s 5-run advantage in the 9th inning scoring on a 2 out wild pitch after reaching on an infield single.
Much like Friday night, Norwich saved another furious comeback effort for the final inning. After being held to just two hits through the first eight innings and trailing 6 to 1, the Sea Unicorns’ offense finally came to life. Norwich did all their damage with two outs in the ninth. The hosts loaded the bases thanks to command issues from the Nashua reliever, who walked a pair and hit a batter. Gabriel Rivera plated the first run with a single to center field. With the bases still loaded and two outs, Nashua elected to make a pitching change. Charlie Walsh made them pay by ripping a two-run single up the middle to cut the deficit to two. Unfortunately, that would be the closest Norwich would come in their 9th inning comeback effort.
Norwich is back in action this afternoon with a matinee meeting with the New Britain Bees and will look to snap their 4-game skid. Brendan Grady (1-1) will take the mound for Norwich opposite Jack Sheldon (0-0).
Win – Andrew Chenevert (4-0)
Loss – Justin Gouin (0-1)
Save – Brandon Metivier (S, 1)
Time – 2:50
UPCOMING PROMOTION
Autograph Book giveaway
The first 200 kids to enter the gates will receive an autograph book that they can bring back every time they attend a Sea Unicorns game and get autographs from their favorite players.
Presented by: Spicer Propane
Sunday Funday with postgame Kids Run the Bases and Have a Catch in the Outfield
Children 12 & under are invited on the field following the game to Run the Bases one time and Have a Catch in the Outfield with their families for 15 minutes.
Baseballs for Have a Catch are branded by: CT DOT
Sunday’s are also our First Mate’s Club Days
The First Mate’s Club is open to children 12 & under. As a member, you will receive a ticket to every Sunday home game, receive a t-shirt and a credential to show off your membership in style, receive discounts at concessions and merchandise stands on Sunday’s, as well as participate in an ice cream social following today’s game.
Presented by: K & H Equipment of Plainfield
Written by Adam Plager