Gulls Force Game 3, Win 10-8 Thriller at Ocean State
August 5, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - Coming off a Game One loss at Cardines Field on Monday, the Gulls were looking to keep their season alive at Old Mountain Field against the Ocean State Waves on Tuesday. In front of 1,153 fans at Old Mountain Field, an eight-run first inning lifted the Gulls to a clutch 10-8 victory over the Ocean State Waves.
Facing Waves starter Kyle Demeo, the Gulls were able to get four hits in the bottom of the first. After Demeo retired the first two batters, Blaise Salter, Tanner Donnels, and Jose Vizcaino Jr. all singled to extend the inning. Eventually, P.J. Jones scorched a single to the gap in right-center, driving home both Salter and Donnels. With Ryan Tufts loading the bases with a walk, Reed Gamache cleared the bases with a line drive double. Two batters later (facing new pitcher Marc Lukowski), Ben Roberts continued the offensive onslaught with a two-run single to left, while Salter kept the rally going with an RBI single of his own. Even though Lukowski struck out Donnels to end the inning, the Gulls opened up the game with an 8-0 lead.
Working with an 8-0 lead, Gulls starter Brett Hanewich was responsible for holding the Waves offense at bay. With the first three Waves reaching base, Hanewich allowed a two-run double to Ryan Blanton. Hanewich then proceeded to strike out Ethan Ferreira to end the threat, but the Waves were able to cut the deficit to 8-2.
Despite allowing two runs in the bottom of the first, Hanewich worked efficiently against the Waves offense for the remainder of his outing. In six innings, the righty from Stanford allowed two runs on two hits, striking out three batters.
Hanewich also retired seven batters in a row between the first and third innings while preventing the Waves from tallying a hit in seventeen consecutive at-bats.
After 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief from Lukowski, the Waves turned to reliever Oliver Powers in the fourth. The Gulls did threaten against Powers with two potential rallies in the fourth and fifth innings. The Gulls did get two runners in scoring position in the fourth, but Powers induced a fly ball out against Ryan Tufts to end the threat. In the top of the fifth, Gamache and Shea Donlin singled to lead off the inning, but Powers was able to secure three fly ball outs to evade the jam.
In the top of the seventh, the Gulls resumed their offensive productivity against the Waves. Gamache led off the inning with a single against southpaw Hunter Schryver, who was promptly substituted by Waves manager Eric Cirella in favor of Matt Murphy. The Gulls reached on two errors by the Waves, setting up a two-run single for Donnels. Although Murphy did induce a lineout off the bat of Vizcaino Jr., the Gulls did expand their lead to 10-2.
With six solid innings from Hanewich, the Gulls turned to southpaw Mark McCoy in the bottom of the seventh. Allowing a leadoff walk to Ferreria, McCoy allowed the Waves' first run since the first inning to score as Jordan Mountford reached on an error by Shea Donlin. Pinch-hitting for Steve Wilgus, Drew Ferguson drove home a run on an RBI single. Robby Rinn continued the rally with an RBI single of his own, which came after an error by Salter at first. The Waves scored once more when a fielder's choice effort by the Gulls resulted in a botched throw from Edman at short. With the bases loaded and two outs, McCoy was able to strike out pinch-hitter Evan Ocello to end the inning, but the Waves cut the Gulls' advantage to 10-5.
The Waves continued to rally against McCoy and the Gulls in the bottom of the eighth. With two outs and runners on the corners, Ferguson drove in his second run of the game on an RBI single. With the bases loaded and two outs, Gulls manager Mike Coombs brought in reliever Armand Rugel from the bullpen. The Waves secured two RBI singles from Rinn and A.J. Ramirez, but a bases-loaded strikeout against Ocello propelled the Gulls out of the inning, holding on to a slim 10-8 lead.
After retiring the Gulls in order in the top of the ninth, Waves reliever Conor LeBlanc walked Donlin to leadoff the top of the ninth. The Waves turned to Brad Applin to face the top of the Gulls order. Applin struck out, following that up by getting Roberts to fly out on a shot that nearly cleared the fences at Old Mountain Field. Ending the inning with a fielder's choice, Applin rallied to retire the toughest part of the Gulls lineup in order.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Gulls kept the game in the hands of Rugel. Striking out Ferreira to lead off the inning, Rugel continued his effectiveness by getting T.J. Lynch to fly out to right. Rugel surrendered a two-out walk to Tim Caputo, but Rugel got Mountford to ground out, clinching the 10-8 victory for the Gulls.
Tomorrow, the Gulls will face the Waves in a pivotal Game Three showdown at Cardines Field. Jack Patterson will make the start for the Gulls, while the Waves counter with Steve Moyers. First pitch is slated for 6:35 pm, as Nick Lima, Tristan Hobbes, and Tim Scott will cover the game on the NECBL Broadcast Network.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 5, 2014
- Mainers defeat Swamp Bats 3-0 to force deciding game - Sanford Mainers
- Gulls Force Game 3, Win 10-8 Thriller at Ocean State - Newport Gulls
- Swamp Bats drop Game 2, will play Sanford in winner take all Game 3 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Sanford in must-win situation after dropping game 1 - Sanford Mainers
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