Salter Grand Slam Powers Newport Past Ocean State; Gulls Advance to DCS
August 6, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, R.I. - Fresh off a 10-8 victory against the Ocean State Waves at Old Mountain Field on Tuesday, the Newport Gulls were looking to advance to the NECBL Divisional Finals for the third consecutive season. In front of 2,871 fans at Cardines Field, the Gulls relied on timely hitting and solid pitching to clinch a spot in the NECBL Semifinals with a 9-4 series victory over the Waves.
The Waves struck first on the scoreboard by tagging Gulls starter Jack Patterson for three runs in the top of the second. With an RBI single by former Gull Ethan Ferreira and a two-run double by Jordan Mountford, the Waves were able to take an advantageous 3-0 lead against the Gulls.
However, the Gulls rebounded by getting a run of their own in the bottom of the second. Facing Waves starter Steve Moyers, right fielder Tanner Donnels started the rally with a line-drive single. Eventually, after Jose Vizcaino Jr. reached on a fielder's choice, Tyler Green drove home the first run of the game for the Gulls on an RBI double off the left field wall. Even though Moyers was able to retire Reed Gamache on a ground out to end the inning, the Gulls were able to cut their deficit to 3-1.
In the top of the third, the Waves scored again when Buck McCarthy laced an RBI ground-rule double into the bullpen, driving home Drew Ferguson. Patterson was able to retire McCarthy after getting him stuck in a 5-4-6 pickle to end the inning, but the Waves had taken a 4-1 lead.
Paced by hits to begin the bottom of the third, the Gulls had an opportunity to chip away at the Waves' early lead. After Shea Donlin singled to left to lead off the inning, Tommy Edman doubled to left. Despite the optimistic start, Donlin was thrown out by left fielder Drew Ferguson at third base. Allowing an infield single by Blaise Salter, Moyers was able to strike out Donnels to end the inning, with a 4-1 lead for the Waves still intact.
The Gulls did get a productive rally going against the Waves in the bottom of the fourth. Loading the bases with two outs, RBI singles by Edman and Ben Roberts cut the deficit to 4-3. With Salter coming up to bat, Waves manager Eric Cirella turned to the bullpen, bringing in David Gerber to escape the jam. Working with a 2-2 count, Salter crushed a fastball from Gerber over the left field fence, plating the first grand slam of the postseason for the Gulls. Even though Gerber was able to strike out Donnels to end the inning, the Gulls emerged from behind to take a 7-4 lead over the Waves.
Despite allowing four runs in the first three innings, Patterson settled down as the game progressed. The southpaw from Bryant retired eight straight batters, striking out one batter between the third and fifth innings. Patterson eventually went eight innings, allowing four runs on six hits with four strikeouts.
Fresh off their six-run onslaught in the fourth, Vizcaino Jr. continued the Gulls offensive productivity with a solo home run of his own to dead center field off new Waves reliever Brad Applin. It was his second home run at Cardines Field in 2014, and his first of the postseason. Eventually, two singles by Gamache and Donlin did set up another threat, but Applin was able to retire Edman on a ground out to end the inning with the Gulls leading, 8-4.
McCarthy, whose walk in the sixth ended the string of retired batters from Patterson, was left stranded at first after a leaping catch by Vizcaino Jr. to end the inning. Patterson, who had not allowed a hit since the third inning, was able to hold the Waves offense at bay, keeping the Gulls lead intact, 8-4.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Gulls were able to continue their offensive surge against Applin and the Waves. With a leadoff double by Roberts, Salter drove home his fifth run of the game with an RBI single to left. Despite a single by Vizcaino Jr., Applin was able to get a pop out off the bat of P.J. Jones to end the inning. The Gulls were able to open up their largest lead of the game, 9-4.
After eight stellar innings from Patterson, the Gulls turned to Marc Huberman to make his twentieth appearance of the summer. The southpaw from Southern California induced two ground ball outs before getting A.J. Ramirez to fly out to center to end the game, giving the Gulls a 9-4 win and a 2-1 series victory.
Tomorrow, the Newport Gulls will travel to Forges Field to battle the Plymouth Pilgrims in Game One of the NECBL Southern Division Championship series. Johnathon Tripp will make the start for the Gulls, while the Pilgrims counter with Danny Garcia. First pitch is slated for 6:30 pm. The Gulls will travel back to Cardines Field on Friday to host Game Two of the series.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 6, 2014
- Swamp Bats' Season Comes to End with Heartbreaking Loss in Extras - Keene Swamp Bats
- Salter Grand Slam Powers Newport Past Ocean State; Gulls Advance to DCS - Newport Gulls
- Mountaineers Sweep into Second Round - Vermont Mountaineers
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