Gulls Snap Streak vs. Waves, Fall 11-4
August 1, 2014 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, R.I. - Riding a season-high six game winning streak, the Newport Gulls were looking to continue their success against the Ocean State Waves in the regular season finale at Cardines Field. Setting the regular season home attendance record (as well as the highest attendance average per home game) on Host Family Appreciation and Newport FOP American Heroes Night, the Gulls dropped a tough game against the Ocean State Waves, 11-4, in front of 2,972 fans at Cardines Field on Friday.
The Gulls struck first in the bottom of the first, scoring the game's first run against Waves starter Steve Moyers. After Moyers hit Ben Roberts with a pitch, Blaise Salter drove home his 40th run of the summer on an RBI double to left-center, giving the Gulls an early 1-0 lead.
Making his first start since July 2, Mike Mancuso pitched effectively for the Gulls in their regular season home finale. In three innings of work, the junior from the University of Georgia allowed three runs on five hits, striking out two batters. Mancuso also retired eight of the first nine batters he faced against the Waves on the evening.
In the bottom of the third, the Gulls added another run to their total. With the Waves bringing in new pitcher Mitchell Jordan, the Gulls capitalized on the opportunity to expand their lead.
After Tommy Edman secured a one-out walk (which was followed by his tenth stolen base of the season), Salter continued to add to his RBI total with a bloop single to right. With two RBI's already in the game, Salter was one run away from tying the Gulls' single-season RBI record, which was set by Steve Anderson in 2013.
However, the Waves bounced back with three runs of their own in the top of the fourth. Dealing with a leadoff walk to Timothy Lynch, Mancuso allowed a two-run home run to Drew Ferguson that clipped a tree in left field. The Waves eventually took the lead when Alec Diamond laced an RBI single to left to propel the Waves to a 3-2 lead after four innings.
After four innings from Mancuso, the Gulls turned to Johnathon Tripp to make a tune-up appearance before he is set to start for the Gulls in the postseason. Tripp allowed three hits to lead off the inning, including an RBI single to Lynch, an RBI groundout by Robby Rinn, a sacrifice fly by AJ Ramirez, and RBI doubles by Ethan Ferreira and Diamond. Even though Tripp was able to strike out Tim Caputo to end the inning, the Waves had taken a commanding 8-2 lead.
Despite trailing by six runs, the Gulls got a run back in the bottom of the sixth. With Salter standing on second after getting hit by a pitch while advancing on a fielder's choice, P.J. Jones roped an RBI double to the gap in the right-center, putting the Gulls back in the game, 8-3. However, the Gulls rally was cut short by a diving catch by Evan Ocello, resulting in Ocello doubling off Jones at second base, ending the inning.
Eric Stone pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief, allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out two batters. He retired seven of the first eight batters he faced, keeping the Waves offense at bay during that time. However, Stone's effectiveness was tested in the top of the eighth, as he uncorked a wild pitch that enabled Caputo to score from third. Lynch continued the offensive onslaught with an RBI double, putting the Waves ahead by six runs.
The Gulls struck back in the bottom of the seventh, facing new pitcher Oliver Powers. The inning began when Anthony Lyons reached on an infield single, advancing to second on an error by Ramirez. Lyons came around to score when a pop up off the bat of Edman careened off the glove of Ramirez, putting the Gulls within four runs, 8-4.
Eventually, Gulls manager Mike Coombs turned to Mason Richardson in his first relief outing since July 5. The righty from Louisville hit pinch-hitter Steve Wilgus with a fastball, but retired Rinn on a groundball out to end the inning. However, the Waves had taken a 10-4 lead over the Gulls. Richardson struggled with his command in the ninth, hitting another batter while surrendering a walk. Richardson eventually was pulled in the middle of the count as a result of injury concerns, bringing lefty Marc Huberman into the game to end the inning. Huberman allowed two base hits, including an RBI single Evan Ocello, putting the Waves ahead 11-4.
After two innings of work from Oliver Powers, the Waves turned to Hunter Schryver to finish the game in the ninth. Despite allowing a single to Shea Donlin, Schryver got Edman to ground out to short, ending his eleven-game hitting streak, and giving the Waves a 11-4 victory over the Gulls.
With the loss, the Gulls fall to 24-17 on the season, snapping their six-game winning streak. The Gulls still stand in second place, leaving the Gulls ahead by a game over the Waves for second place in the NECBL Southern Division standings. The Gulls also drop the Pell Bridge Series to the Waves in 2014, as the Waves take the title for the first time in the rivalry's second year.
Meanwhile, the Gulls will play their regular season finale on the road against the Plymouth Pilgrims at Forges Field on Saturday. Layne Bruner (0-0, 8.30 ERA) will make his third start of the summer for the Gulls, while the Pilgrims counter with Dylan Cummiskey (0-1, 3.60 ERA). First pitch is slated for 6:30, as Nick Lima and Rob Masse will cover the game on the NECBL Broadcast Network. The postseason will begin on August 4.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 1, 2014
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- Mainers sweep doubleheader at Valley - Sanford Mainers
- Gulls Snap Streak vs. Waves, Fall 11-4 - Newport Gulls
- Keene Handles Laconia, 9-1 - Keene Swamp Bats
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