Gulls Defeat Waves 7-1, All-Star Game Is Sunday in Newport
July 16, 2016 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, R.I. -Stephen Scott (Vanderbilt) powered the Gulls with two home runs and five RBIs as Newport defeated their divisional in-state rival, the Ocean State Waves, 7-1 at Cardines Field on Friday night in Newport in the finale of the Pell Bridge Series.
The Waves struck first in the top half of the fourth. Austin Upshaw (Kennesaw State) put life in the Waves lineup, recording the team's first hit of the night, a lined double to deep left-center field. Gian Martellini (Boston College) followed Upshaw with an RBI single, giving the Waves the 1-0 lead.
As they have all season long, the Gulls responded immediately in the home-half. Following a leadoff walk by Jake Brodt (Santa Clara), the Gulls season leader in runs scored, Scott smashed a two-run home run over the right field fence to put Newport ahead 2-1.
The Gulls (18-14) added another run later in the fourth as Cole Fabio (Bryant) continued to swing a hot bat. Chris Chatfield (South Florida) walked and stole second base to put himself in scoring position for Fabio. Fabio connected on a 3-1 pitch to centerfield and advanced to second as the Waves unsuccessfully attempted to throw Chatfield out at home and scored from second, extending the Gulls lead 3-1.
Scott, the Gulls hottest hitter once again homered to deep right-center field, except this time Scott drove in three runs scoring Ben Breazeale (Wake Forest) and Brodt, opening the game up as Newport finished the fifth inning with a 6-1 lead over the Waves. Scott now leads the Gulls with seven home runs and 23 runs-batted-in on the year.
The Waves put pressure on the Gulls in both the sixth and the seventh inning, but Newport's pitching came through in the clutch moments, preventing any runs to score. Blake Battenfield (W 1-0) (Oklahoma State) struck out the final two Waves' batters in the sixth, his final inning of work. Kris Bubic (Stanford) relieved Battenfield and worked his way out of a bases loaded situation, keeping the Gulls lead at 6-1. Bubic closed out the rest of the game, pitching the final three innings, allowing four hits with five strikeouts.
Newport's offense rallied once again in the home half of the seventh. Brodt singled to lead off the inning, bringing the dangerous Scott to the plate. Scott showed patience as he walked on five pitches. Trey Harris (Missouri Columbia) delivered the big hit of the inning, a sharp liner down the third base line and into the bullpen for a ground-rule double. Brodt scored to make it 7-1.
The Gulls will attempt to increase their win streak to five as they travel to face divisional foe Mystic Schooners in a battle for second place in the Southern Division tomorrow night for a 6:05 p.m. start.
The Gulls and the NECBL will then celebrate the league with its 23rd Annual NECBL All-Star Game at Cardines Field in Newport on Sunday afternoon. Gates open at 1:30 p.m., followed by the 60-Yard Dash at 2 p.m., the Home Run Derby at 2:30, and first pitch at 6:35. Tickets are just $5 for all ages.
A complete itinerary, including all of the day's details, is available at www.newportgulls.com. Scouts, media, and other VIPs are asked to contact Nick Lima, Director of Baseball Operations, at 401-845-6832 or operations@newportgulls.com ahead of the game. All scouts, working members of the media, and VIPs will need to check-in starting at 11:30 a.m. at the VIP table, located next to the Ticket Booth at Cardines Field, to receive a media packet and credentials.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 16, 2016
- July Woes Continue, Bats Lose 1-0 in Extras - Keene Swamp Bats
- Upper Valley Bests Mainers Night Before All-Star Game - Sanford Mainers
- Gulls Defeat Waves 7-1, All-Star Game Is Sunday in Newport - Newport Gulls
- Four Mainers, Broadcaster Selected for NECBL All-Star Game - Sanford Mainers
- Blue Sox Pitching Silences SteepleCats - North Adams SteepleCats
- Mainers Comeback to Topple Winnipesaukee - Sanford Mainers
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