Gulls Eliminated, Fall to Schooners in Southern Division Finals
August 8, 2015 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
GROTON, Conn. - With their backs against the wall once again, the Newport Gulls entered Fitch High School Field with quiet optimism knowing they had already overcome a similar situation this postseason. However, even the best-laid plans can go awry, and the Gulls were pounded by the Mystic Schooners 16-2 and were eliminated from the NECBL playoffs Friday night.
Newport jumped out to an early lead, loading the bases in the first inning and scoring two runs on a double by Drew Lugbauer to give the Gulls some momentum in Game Two of the NECBL Southern Division Championship Series.
Despite the lead, manager Mike Coombs said he felt his team missed an opportunity.
"I thought we should have had three more and that could have changed the whole complexion of the game," Coombs said. "But we didn't pick those up."
Mystic immediately responded with two of its own off Newport starting pitcher Derik Beauprez on a big fly by Dan Hoy, one of the hottest hitters in the Schooners batting order.
The Schooners took the lead in the bottom half of the inning, plating two runs off Beauprez to go up 4-2 and chase Newport's starter.
Coombs said the move to the bullpen was due to Beauprez having a sore arm, forcing him to move to the bullpen earlier than anticipated.
"He came in there and said his arm was sore," Coombs said. "What am I going to do, run him back out there? No. Can't do it."
New pitcher Troy DeLeon got the first two outs quickly, but seemed to hit a wall after a walk to Aaron Hill. From there, four more Schooners reached base in a row, highlighted by a two-run home run by Nick Mascelli to bring the score to 8-2.
From there, the remaining six innings seemed to be just a formality as Mystic dominated every step of the way. Any opportunity Newport had to cut into the big lead was squandered and met with more Schooners runs, as Mystic only failed to score in the fifth inning.
"It's not so much hurting, but disappointment that the players have, that everyone has that the guys didn't get to the championship," Coombs said. "That's the goal. It's not the goal to get to the playoffs or get past the first round. It's to go to the championship and get the whole deal."
The loss also brings a likely end to the Shea Donlin era at Cardines Field. After three seasons manning the infield for the Gulls, Donlin said he has nothing but great memories of the NECBL.
"This is absolutely my second family," Donlin said. "The organization, (general manager) Chuck (Paiva), Coach Coombs, Coach (Al) Leyva, Coach (Kevin) Long. It's just been an absolute blast."
Aside from making it to the division finals for the 14th time in 15 seasons, the Gulls once again earned the best record in the NECBL this summer, along with winning the regular season division championship for the 10th time.
Looking ahead to 2016, the Gulls front office is already planning the details for their induction of the Fourth Class of the Newport Gulls Hall of Fame. The class members were announced in June at the 15th anniversary hot stove dinner and auction celebration.
Additionally, Cardines Field and the Newport Gulls will host the 2016 NECBL All-Star Game next July, an honor the Gulls previously enjoyed twice, in 2005 and 2010.
A more detailed reflection upon the 2015 Gulls season, and the players who made it memorable, will be released in the days ahead. And, newportgulls.com and the team's social media will continue to have updates and information throughout the offseason.
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New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from August 8, 2015
- Vermont earns fifth NECBL finals appearance - Vermont Mountaineers
- Gulls Eliminated, Fall to Schooners in Southern Division Finals - Newport Gulls
- Resilient 'Cats Force Another Game Three - North Adams SteepleCats
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