Gulls Cap Wild Ninth with Walk-Off Win over Navs
Published on July 26, 2011 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
Newport, R.I. - After the Newport Gulls gave up two runs and the lead to the North Shore Navigators in the top of the ninth, the Gulls rallied for a pair of runs-including the walk-off run on a wild pitch-and came away with an important, 4-3 win over the Navs before nearly 2,800 fans Monday night at Cardines Field.
Newport trailed, 3-2, with one out in the bottom of the ninth when Jack Reinheimer (East Carolina; Charlotte, N.C.) reached on a dropped third strike. Then, Jeff Melillo (Rutgers; Annandale, N.J.) singled to give the Gulls runners on first and second with one out.
On an 0-2 count, Kyle Johnson (Washington State; Coeur D'Alene, Idaho) grounded into a fielder's choice to shortstop, but an errant throw on the turn ran down the right-field line and allowed Reinheimer to score and tie the game at 3-3.
Following a walk to Rand Ravnaas (Georgetown; Fort Worth, Texas), Matt Foat (Southern California; Rescue, Calif.) worked a long at-bat with North Shore pitcher Matt Alvarez. A wild pitch by Alvarez (2-2) allowed Johnson and Ravnaas to move up to third and second, and a passed ball on a 2-2 count gave Johnson the chance to dart home with the winning run.
The Gulls surrendered the lead in the top of the ninth when a pair of unearned runs scored off Newport closer Michael Dimock (Wake Forest; Greensboro, N.C.). Dimock (3-1) was trying to record a five-out save after he worked out of a jam in the eighth. He allowed no earned runs on three hits while striking out two.
Bobby Wheatley (Southern California; Villa Park, Calif.) turned in his best start of the season, allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out three over 7 1/3 innings.
Newport scored in each of the first two innings. Kyle Johnson led off the first with a single off North Shore starter Nolan Corr. Johnson then stole second and scored on an RBI double by Conrad Gregor (Vanderbilt; Carmel, Ind.) to make it 1-0. In the second, Reinheimer reached on a fielder's choice and scored when Kyle Johnson beat out a double-play ball to make it a 2-0 Newport lead.
The win improved the Gulls (23-13) to a season-best 10 games over .500 and extended their lead in the NECBL Eastern Division to 4.5 games over the Navigators and Sanford. Newport's magic number is down to three. The Gulls visit New Bedford on Tuesday before eight Newport players play in the NECBL All-Star Game on Wednesday. The Gulls finish the season with four out of five games at home, starting with a makeup game against Mystic on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. For more information, visit the Gulls' website at newportgulls.com.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 26, 2011
- Mountaineers Clinch Playoff Berth, Set Stolen Base Record, in 6-2 Victory - Vermont Mountaineers
- Blue Sox Winning Ways Ended by Westerners, 13-10 - Valley Blue Sox
- Ortiz drives in three runs as Schooners defeat Swamp Bats, 4-1 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mainers Shut Out In Lynn - Sanford Mainers
- Navigators shut out Sanford; host All-Star Game tonight at Fraser - North Shore Navigators
- Blue Sox Rout Muskrats 26-4 to Sweep Season Series - Valley Blue Sox
- Gulls Cap Wild Ninth with Walk-Off Win over Navs - Newport Gulls
- Newport to Face Mystic Thursday in Rescheduled Game - Newport Gulls
- 'Cats Snap 4-Game Losing Streak - North Adams SteepleCats
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