Gulls Drop Game One to Ocean State, 4-2
August 4, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, R.I. - As the NECBL postseason began on Monday evening, the Newport Gulls were looking to gain an early edge in their best-of-three game series against their in-state rivals, the Ocean State Waves. Despite leading early in the game, the Waves scored three runs in the last two innings to defeat the Gulls, 4-2, in front of 1,469 fans at Cardines Field. With the win, the Waves take a 1-0 lead in the NECBL Southern Division semifinals.
The Waves struck first in the top of the first against Gulls starter John Kilichowski. Although Kilichowski retired two batters after hitting Jordan Mountford to lead off the game, Kilichowski allowed an RBI double to A.J. Ramirez off the ivy in right field, giving the Waves an early 1-0 lead over the Gulls.
Despite trailing by one, the Newport Gulls bounced back in the bottom of the third.
Facing Waves starter Mitchell Jordan, the Gulls started the rally with a double by Shea Donlin. In the following at-bat, Tommy Edman laced a single to right, but Donlin slid across home plate ahead of the tag of Waves catcher Ethan Ferreira. The Gulls managed to get two runners in scoring position, but a tumbling catch in left field by Drew Ferguson prevented the Gulls from taking the lead, instead leaving the score tied at one.
After allowing a run in the first inning, Kilichowski rebounded to keep the Waves offense at bay throughout the night. In 7 2/3 innings of work, the southpaw from Vanderbilt allowed three runs on six hits, walking three while striking out six batters. Working quickly against the Waves lineup, Kilichowski retired nine batters in a row between the fifth and seventh innings, ending that streak with an infield single by Tim Caputo in the eighth.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Gulls continued their offensive onslaught against Jordan. With two quick outs, the Gulls got runners on first and second for NECBL RBI champion Blaise Salter. Salter lined a single to right, driving home Edman from second, and giving the Gulls a 2-1 advantage.
The Waves were able to get five innings from Jordan, as he was able to strike out five Gulls batter in his third outing against their Pell Bridge rivals in 2014. Meanwhile, the Gulls offense struggled to adjust against Waves reliever David Gerber, who retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth while evading a jam in the bottom of the seventh.
Trailing 2-1 in the top of the eighth, the Waves bounced back with two runs against Kilichowski. After Caputo's infield single, coupled with a costly error by Salter at first that enabled Mountford to reach base. With two runners in scoring position, Timothy Lynchlaced a two-run single to left, putting the Waves ahead, 3-2. With two on and two outs, Gulls manager Mike Coombsturned to reliever Armand Rugelto end the eighth. Rugel was able to strike out Drew Fergusonto end the inning, keeping the Gulls deficit intact at 3-2.
Gerber, who came back out for his third inning of relief, did inflict a potential rally upon the Gulls when he hit outfielder Ben Roberts with an inside fastball.
Despite the promising start, Salter grounded into a double play, leaving things up to Tanner Donnels with two outs against new pitcher Hunter Schryver. In a prolonged at-bat that lasted nine pitches, Schryver enticed Donnels with a high strike for the third out, keeping the Waves ahead, 3-2.
Allowing a double to Ferreira in the ninth, Rugel was able to retire the next two batters. However, with the left-handed Lynch coming to the plate, Coombs decided to bring in lefty Marc Huberman to end the ninth. Allowing a single to Mountford before walking Evan Ocello, Huberman eventually hit Lynch with a fastball, allowing a run to score. Despite allowing the run, Huberman retired Ramirez on a fly out to left with the Gulls trailing, 4-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, Waves closer Jeffrey Paglione entered in the game to secure the victory for the Gulls. Paglione induced groundouts to Reed Gamache and Jose Vizcaino Jr., the Gulls offense regained some life when catcher P.J. Jones lined a double off the right field fence. Despite this brief burst of momentum, Paglione struck out Ryan Tufts to end the game, giving the Waves a 4-2 victory.
Trailing the series 1-0, the Gulls will look to bounce back at Old Mountain Field in Wakefield, R.I. on Tuesday, trying to stave off elimination at 6:05 pm. Brett Hanewich (2-3, 3.58 ERA) will get the start for the Gulls, while the Waves counter with lefty Steve Moyers (1-1, 4.96 ERA). If the Gulls win on Tuesday, Game Three will take place at Cardines Field on Wednesday at 6:35 pm.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 August 4, 2014
- Mountaineers Open Playoffs with Win - Vermont Mountaineers
- Gulls Drop Game One to Ocean State, 4-2 - Newport Gulls
- Strong Pitching, Timely Hitting Lead Swamp Bats to 4-1 Win in Game One - Keene Swamp Bats
- Lyman Named Player of the Week - Vermont Mountaineers
- NECBL Weekly Roundup - NECBL
- Lyman, Hanewich Earn Final Weekly Awards - NECBL
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