Gulls continue winning ways by defeating Muskrats, 8-4
July 31, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, RI - Riding a five game winning-streak entering Thursday's contest with the Laconia Muskrats, the Newport Gulls were determined to win their winning ways. With a season-high seventeen hits and solid pitching, the Gulls defeated the Muskrats, 8-4, in front of 1,325 fans on Military Appreciation Night at Cardines Field.
The Muskrats were the first to strike the scoreboard, getting a run against Gulls starter Jack Patterson. After allowing a single to Braxton Martinez that was followed by a walk issued to Colton Bottomey, Muskrats catcher Jacob Henson roped a double down the left field line that was deep enough to score Martinez. However, the Gulls were able to tag out Bottomley at third base, keeping the Muskrats lead intact at 1-0.
Despite trailing 1-0 before their first at-bats of the night, the Newport Gulls managed to capitalize on offensive opportunities in the bottom of the first. With a leadoff double by Tommy Edman, the Gulls tied the score on an RBI double by Ben Roberts that was lined to the gap in left-center. With runners on the corners and no outs, Tyler Green continued the offensive onslaught with an RBI double to left, while Tanner Donnels contributed to the run-scoring efforts with an RBI groundout to shortstop Cornelius Copeland. With Will Smith driving home Green on an RBI single to right, the Gulls expanded their early lead over the Muskrats to 4-1.
The top of the fourth inning started off with controversy. Henson blasted a ball that appeared to hit off the top of a banner hanging in left field, but home plate umpire Jeffrey Merzel ruled that the ball was a home run. Despite arguments from Gulls acting manager Kevin Long and the rest of the team, Merzel and base umpire John Leeds agreed that Henson's blast was indeed a solo home run. After Jack Sundberg tripled in the triangle in right-center, Copeland drove him home on an RBI single to center. The Muskrats almost evened the score on a single by Nick Masonia, but an appeal determined that Copeland did not step on third base on the way to the plate, nullifying the RBI, and keeping the Gulls lead intact at 4-3.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Gulls continued to swing the bats well against the Muskrats pitching staff. Salter drove home his 39th run of the season with an RBI single to left. In the following at-bat, Green laced an RBI single to right-center, scoring Roberts from third. However, Salter was thrown out trying to get to third, but the Gulls had taken a convincing 6-3 advantage over the Muskrats.
However, the Muskrats regained a run in the top of the seventh. After Nick Masonia singled to right, Henson brought him around to score on a fielding error by third baseman Reed Gamache. Although the Gulls allowed a run, a heads-up play by Green in left field retired Martinez as he tried to take third on the play, as new pitcher Armand Rugel was able to retire the side with a 6-4 lead intact for the Gulls.
Entering the game with two home runs, Tanner Donnels continued to add to season total by blasting a shot over the right field fence off Muskrats reliever Ben Miller. The Gulls continued their offensive bonanza with an RBI single by Gamache which drove home Smith to put the Gulls ahead, 8-4.
Rugel pitched exceptionally out of the bullpen, allowing just two hits in 2 2/3 innings of relief. Rugel eventually retired Bottomley on a fly out to left, securing an 8-4 victory for the Gulls over the Muskrats. In the process, Rugel saved his third game of the summer, tying the team lead.
With the win, the Gulls have improved their season-high winning streak to six games, bumping their record up to 24-16. With a loss by the Mystic Schooners to the Plymouth Pilgrims, the Gulls are currently standing in second place in the NECBL Southern Division with two games remaining. The Gulls also split the season series with the Muskrats, with both teams winning at their respective home ballparks.
Tomorrow, the Gulls stay in Newport to take on the Ocean State Waves in the final regular season home game of the 2014 regular season. Mike Mancuso (2-0, 3.32 ERA) will make his fourth start of the summer for the Gulls, his first since July 2 against the Valley Blue Sox. First pitch is slated for 6:35 pm, as the Gulls will celebrate Host Family Appreciation Night and the Fraternal Order of Policemen (FOP) American Heroes Night.
For more information about the Newport Gulls, visit facebook.com/newportgulls, follow the Gulls on Twitter @NewportGulls or visit www.newportgulls.com.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 31, 2014
- Sheetz Delivers with Clutch Double, Swamp Bats Beat Waves 7-5 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mountaineers split doubleheader - Vermont Mountaineers
- Mainers secure second place in the NECBL Northern Division - Sanford Mainers
- Gulls continue winning ways by defeating Muskrats, 8-4 - Newport Gulls
- Swamp Bats Beat North Adams in Conclusion of Suspended Game - Keene Swamp Bats
- Mainers come up short in 14 innings - Sanford Mainers
- Blue Sox Suffer 6-3 Setback in Danbury - Valley Blue Sox
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