Gulls Roll Past Westerners 10-5 at Cardines Field
June 18, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, R.I. - In their first game at Cardines Field since last Wednesday, the Newport Gulls came into Wednesday's game versus the Danbury Westerners feeling refreshed after a 4-3 win over the Sanford Mainers. In front of a crowd of 2,382 fans at Cardines Field, solid offensive contributions led the Gulls to a 10-5 victory over the Westerners.
For the fourth time in five games, the Newport Gulls were the first team on the scoreboard. In his first at-bat at Cardines Field, shortstop Tommy Edman blasted a solo home run over the right field fence. Despite a single by Blaise Salter, Danbury starterJoey Arena was able to retire the side, but the Gulls led the Westerners, 1-0.
The Gulls continued their offensive rally in the bottom of the second inning. After base hits by P.J. Jones, Reed Gamache, and A.J. Zarozny, Edman continued his offensive surge by lining a three-run double to left, giving the Gulls a 4-0 lead.
Getting the start for the Gulls was Mick Van Vossen, the reigning NECBL Pitcher of the Week. Coming off an outing in which he struck out 11 batters against the New Bedford Bay Sox, Van Vossen was on his game again, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts over six innings of work.
However, the Westerners got on the board with some key hits in the fourth. After A.J. Ryan doubled and advanced to third on an error by Colby Wright, Zach Lavy drove him home with an RBI single to right. Even though Van Vossen struck out the next two batters, the Westerners cut the Gulls' lead to 4-1.
In the fifth, the Gulls continued to increase the momentum by scoring six runs in the inning. Ryan Tufts doubled to start the inning, while moving to third on a wild pitch. Ultimately, Tufts came home on an RBI single by Blaise Salter. In the following at-bat, Nick Zammarelli hit a ground ball to third baseman Zach Lavy. However, Lavy threw the ball over the head of first baseman Ryan, allowing both Tanner Donnels and Salter to score.
Wright continued the hit parade with an RBI single to left, driving home Zammarelli. After a double by Jones and a walk to Gamache, Edman drove in his fifth run of the game on a single to right. Coming up for the second time in the inning, Tufts drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk. After a nice diving catch by Manny Cruz, the Gulls ended the rally, but still maintained a 10-1 lead.
After a strong start from Van Vossen, the bullpen continued to keep the Westerners offense at bay. In his first relief outing of the season, Jack Patterson struck out two batters, even making a nice defensive play where he threw out Joshua Palacios at the plate.
However, the Westerners struck back with four runs in the eighth. Facing new pitcher Layne Bruner, Westerners infielder Joe Poduslenko drove in a run on a fielder's choice to short. That was followed by a two-run double by Tyler Homer, and an RBI groundout by Palacios. Despite the obstacles, Bruner was able to retire Cruz on a groundout, ending the jam, and keeping the Gulls in the lead, 10-5.
On the mound for the ninth was Eric Stone. In his third relief appearance, Stone retired the side in order, striking out two batters while putting the final touch on the victory.
With the win, the Gulls improve their 2014 record to 7-3. With Mystic's victory over Valley, the Gulls remain tied for second place with the Ocean State Waves and Plymouth Pilgrims, trailing the Schooners by a half a game.
The Gulls will travel to Dodd Stadium (the home of the New York-Penn League's Connecticut Tigers) in Norwich, Connecticut to battle the Mystic Schooners on Friday. Chandler Hawkins (1-1, 3.60 ERA) will make his third start for the Gulls. First pitch is slated for 6:05. Newport returns home on Saturday to face the Schooners at 6:35, and the entire organization will be marching in the City of Newport's 375th Anniversary Parade that morning.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 18, 2014
- Mainers falter in ninth inning against Ocean State - Sanford Mainers
- Mountaineers Edge Laconia 5-4 - Vermont Mountaineers
- Gulls Roll Past Westerners 10-5 at Cardines Field - Newport Gulls
- Swamp Bats snap six-game losing streak with walk-off win - Keene Swamp Bats
- Red Sox Draftee, Miami Standout Beauprez Makes His Pitch in the Valley - Valley Blue Sox
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
