Gulls Split Double Header vs. Danbury
July 19, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, R.I.-After a week filled with rainouts and off days, the Newport Gulls returned to action on Friday hoping to end their five-game losing streak in a doubleheader against the Danbury Westerners. In front of 2,601 fans at Cardines Field, the Gulls snapped the losing streak against the Westerners in Game 1, winning 5-1. However, the Gulls dropped a close contest in the nightcap, falling to the Westerners, 1-0.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Gulls turned to lefty John Kilichowski to get the start. Making his second start of the summer, Kilichowski went 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits, all while striking out seven batters. The southpaw also won his first game of the summer, keeping the Gulls in the game with his stellar pitching.
With Kilichowski pitching well behind them, the Gulls offense tagged Westerners starter Edgard Santiago for three runs in the bottom of the third. The Gulls were able to corral RBI singles from Tyler Green and Ryan Tufts, while a bases-loaded walk to Tanner Donnels propelled the Gulls to a 3-0 advantage.
Gulls first baseman Blaise Salter continued his offensive onslaught against NECBL pitchers in the bottom of the fourth. With Jose Vizcaino Jr. standing on first, Salter launched his eighth home run of the season into the playground past the left field fence, giving the Gulls a comfortable 5-0 lead.
Since the two games of the doubleheader went only seven innings, Kilichowski was aiming to get his first complete game of the summer. However, the Westerners offense got to him in the top of the seventh. Despite retiring two batters, Kilichowski allowed an RBI double to Joe Poduslenko, setting up a situation with two runners in scoring position.
Gulls manager Mike Coombs decided to go to the bullpen, bringing in closer Armand Rugel to escape the jam. Rugel then proceeded to strike out Hector Gutierrez, securing a 5-1 victory for the Gulls in Game One.
Despite getting the victory in the first game, the Gulls offense couldn't establish a rhythm against Westerners starter Sam Burum in the second game. Burum only allowed three hits in six innings of work, limiting the Gulls offensive opportunities.
Getting the start for the Gulls in Game Two was Brett Hanewich. The righty from Stanford allowed just one hit in 4 1/3 innings, but walked five hitters in the outing. The Westerners scored the lone and decisive run in the top of the fourth, when Poduslenko drove home A.J. Ryan on an RBI groundout to third baseman Nick Zammarelli.
Even though they trailed for the most part, the Gulls had a strong bullpen showing from southpaws Marc Huberman and Chandler Hawkins. The two combined to go 2 2/3 innings, allowing no hits while keeping the deficit intact at 1-0.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh, the Gulls tried to mount a last-inning rally against the Westerners. Salter ignited the offense in the bottom of the seventh with a single up the middle. However, the Westerners brought in reliever Daniel Rankin, who extinguished the jam by striking out Green and getting Zammarelli to line into a double play, securing a 1-0 shutout victory for the Westerners.
A split in the doubleheader brings the Gulls record to 17-11 in 2014. The Gulls currently stand in third place in the NECBL Southern Division, trailing the Ocean State Waves and Plymouth Pilgrims. Meanwhile, the Gulls finished their regular season schedule against the Westerners, winning the season series with a 5-1 advantage.
Tomorrow, the Newport Gulls head up to Old Mountain Field to face the Ocean State Waves in a NECBL Southern Division showdown. Jack Patterson (3-2, 3.24 ERA) will get the start for the Gulls, while the Waves counter with Jesse Adams (1-0, 2.11 ERA). First pitch will take place at 6:05, as Nick Lima and Tristan Hobbes will cover the action on the NECBL Broadcast Network. After the NECBL All-Star Game on July 20, the Gulls will return to Cardines Field on Monday to host the New Bedford Bay Sox in a makeup of the rainout on July 4.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 19, 2014
- Mainers slip up at Keene - Sanford Mainers
- Mountaineers defeat North Adams SteepleCats - Vermont Mountaineers
- Swamp Bats snap three game losing streak, beat Sanford 4-1 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Gulls Split Double Header vs. Danbury - Newport Gulls
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