Sea Unicorns Split Doubleheader in New Britain
New Britain, CT – The Norwich Sea Unicorns split their road doubleheader against the New Britain Bees on Saturday taking the opener 3-1 and were later shutout in the night cap 7-0. With the twin bill split Norwich remains a game ahead of New Britain for 4th place, holding a record of 20-23.
Game 1
New Britain opened the scoring in the 1st against Norwich starter Matt Wootton to take an early 1-0 lead. The Bees strung together three straight one-out singles to do the damage. Cam Righi jumpstarted the offense with a line drive single to left, followed by Colin Crowley who ripped a base hit into center to put runners on the corners. Brennan Staubley then plated Righi with an infield single to second. Wootton limited the damage, thanks to an inning-ending double play.
Norwich responded immediately in the 2nd striking twice to take a 2-1 lead. Bryce Detwiler continued his strong summer, punching a single into right to start the inning. Jack Byrne added a one-out single to left, setting the table for CJ Nolan, who tied the game with a line drive back up the middle. Command issues from Bees starter Jack Sheldon aided the Sea Unicorns as Aidan Stern was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, and Kenny Noe drew a walk to force in the go-ahead run.
The Sea Unicorns added an insurance marker in the 6th, scratching across a run against reliever Anthony Mierez to make it 3-1. Chase Taylor drew a one-out walk and later stole second. Aidan Stern followed with a single to give Norwich runners at the corners. Stern promptly swiped second, and an errant throw from catcher Caleb Miller sailed into center field, allowing Taylor to score from third.
Matt Wootton was dominant once again, tossing a complete game in the victory. It marked the second time this summer he has gone the distance in a doubleheader and the third time he has worked 7 innings. The win was Wootton’s team-leading fourth of the season and moved him into a tie for second in the Futures League in victories.
Win – Matt Wootton (4-1)
Loss – Jack Sheldon (0-2)
Time – 1:53
Game 2
The Bees offense went to work immediately against Norwich starter Luke Cardman, erupting for seven runs over the first two innings. In the first, New Britain jumped out to a 3-0 lead by capitalizing on early command issues. Julius Rosado was hit by a pitch and quickly advanced to third, stealing second and taking an extra base on a wild throw that sailed into center field. A walk to Jake Risedorf put runners on the corners, and Cade Bernardo opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly to center. The Bees kept the pressure on with three straight hits from Caleb Miller, Brennan Staubley, and Carlos Irizarry to stretch the lead to 3.
The Bees offense continued to surge in the second, erupting for 4 more runs to build a commanding 7-0 lead. PJ Hughes led off the inning with a walk, and a double by Julius Rosado quickly put runners on second and third. Jake Risedorf cleared the bases with a two-run single to left. After stealing second, Risedorf came around to score on Cade Bernardo’s double off the wall in right, increasing the Bees lead to 6 and ended the night for Cardman. Norwich turned to Bryce Detwiler out of the bullpen with still no outs and a runner on second. Detwiler struggled early, surrendering three straight singles—including Brennan Staubley’s second hit of the night, which plated Caleb Miller. However, a strong throw from the Norwich right fielder cut down another runner at the plate, giving the Sea Unicorns their first out of the inning. Detwiler then settled in to record the final two outs without allowing further damage.
Bees starter James Tobin silenced the Norwich offense in Game 2, allowing just three hits over six shutout innings to earn his third win of the summer and lead New Britain to a doubleheader split. Alex Oppenheimer closed out the victory with a scoreless seventh to complete the shutout.
Despite the loss, Charles Ennis was a bright spot for Norwich. The right-hander entered in the third and delivered four scoreless innings of relief, limiting the Bees to just two hits while striking out three.
Win – James Tobin (3-0)
Loss – Luke Cardman (2-2)
Time – 1:43
Norwich is back in action this afternoon for a matinee meeting with the first place Worcester Bravehearts. Hector Alejandro (0-0) will make his second start of the summer for Norwich opposite Riley Weatherwax (0-1). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
UPCOMING PROMOTION
vs Worcester Bravehearts @ 1:00pm (Gates open at 12:00pm)
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 presented by: CT DOT
Sunday’s are also our First Mate’s Club Day
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.
Presented by: K & H Equipment of Plainfield
Written by Adam Plager