Gulls Split Double Header vs. Bay Sox
Published on June 29, 2015 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
NEWPORT, R.I. - After suffering a three-game losing streak, including a loss to Danbury, the Newport Gulls needed a spark. Despite looking like a corner had been turned in game one, the Gulls (11-6) split Monday's double header with the New Bedford Bay Sox (9-9), 4-3 and 8-3 in two seven-inning contests.
Michael Mertz, Newport's de facto ace so far this summer, got the call in game one of the twin bill, but was far from it early on.
After setting the Bay Sox down in order in the first inning, New Bedford jumped on Mertz in the second, plating two runs on a single and two doubles and shifting all momentum into the visitor's dugout.
The Gulls were able to cut into the lead in the next half inning on Max Beermann's second home run of the season, hit over the right-field fence.
Following his rough second inning, Mertz settled down, retiring nine of his next 11 opponents, while the other two were thrown out trying to steal by catcher Darrell Miller Jr.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Newport took the lead for good, scoring two runs on Joven Afenir's first round-tripper of the summer - a two-run shot - and another on a groundout, to give the home team a 4-2 lead.
Newport brought in closer Brendan Spagnuolo to take care of business in the seventh, but his outing did not go as planned. The righty allowed the Bay Sox to load the bases with one out.
Spagnuolo was able to get out of the jam, however, getting a fielder's choice to make it a one-run game, then putting the tag on the charging Carlos Ortiz at home plate after a wild pitch to end the ballgame in exciting fashion, earning his league-leading fifth save of the summer.
The offensive confidence for New Bedford appeared to carry over to game two of the double header, as the visitors were in complete control for the entire night.
The lone highlight for Newport came in the bottom of the second inning when designated hitter Quinn Brodey knocked his first home run of the summer over the wall in right field. It was the first offensive start of the season for Brodey, a two-way player for Newport.
After that it was all New Bedford in every sense. The Bay Sox scored seven unanswered runs thanks to poor pitching no matter who was on the mound. All four pitchers Newport used gave up at least one run, one hit and one walk.
A sixth inning Gulls run was inconsequential, as Newport fell in the nightcap, 8-3 the final score.
The Gulls will be back in action Tuesday night in Sanford against the Mainers. First pitch from Goodall Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on the NECBL Broadcast Network.
Newport returns home on Wednesday for Star Wars Night at Cardines Field vs. the Valley Blue Sox. Fans who come to the game in Star Wars costumes receive free admission.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 29, 2015
- Gulls Split Double Header vs. Bay Sox - Newport Gulls
- Mountaineers Hit the Road with a Loss - Vermont Mountaineers
- Hanley, Willeman Haul in Week 4 NECBL Honors - NECBL
- NECBL Weekly Roundup - NECBL
- Gulls to Host Star Wars Night Wednesday - Newport Gulls
- Former Waves Caputo, Gerber Earn Nationwide Honors - Ocean State Waves
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