Newport Gulls Edge Saratoga Brigade 3-2
June 22, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Newport Gulls News Release
Newport, RI - Newport Gulls starter Mick VanVossen tossed seven solid innings and first baseman Steve Anderson drove in the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice in the eighth inning as the Newport Gulls defeated the Saratoga Brigade 3-2 in the first-ever meeting between the two teams at East Side Recreation Field on Saturday, June 22nd.
VanVossen picked up his first victory of the season, allowing just two runs on seven hits, issuing a pair of walks and striking out seven. Relief pitcher Kyle Wilcox worked the final two innings, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out a pair to pick up his first save of the season.
Newport scored their three runs on eight hits, while Saratoga managed just two runs on eight hits. With the victory, the Gulls have now won four straight games, improving to 7-3 overall, while the Saratoga Brigade fall to 3-6 overall this season. The Gulls sit just a half game out of first place in the Eastern Division, trailing the Laconia Muskrats and Mystic Schooners.
Saratoga jumped out to the early lead, plating a pair of runs in the second inning off VanVossen, who allowed a leadoff hit to outfielder Dylan Butler, a double to third baseman Duncan Wendel and walked shortstop Craig McConaughey to load the bases before hitting first baseman Cody Voelker to bring in the first run of the game. VanVossen limited the damage by getting the next batter second baseman Will Thompson to ground into a double play, which brought home another run, but limited further damage, preventing the Brigade from putting up a crooked number early in the contest.
Newport responded with a pair of runs in the fourth inning off Saratoga starter Adrian Benitez, who exited with a no decision, allowing two runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts over seven innings of work, to tie the game. Gulls outfielders Ben Roberts and Timmy Robinson drew back-to-back walks leading off the inning before Anderson flew out. Third baseman Joel McKeithan smacked an RBI single and catcher Ethan Ferreira brought home the equalizer on an RBI fielder's choice.
The game remained knotted at 2-2 until the eighth inning when outfielder Cody Jones and shortstop Trace Tam Sing knocked back-to-back singles off Saratoga reliever Jake Steffens, who ended up taking the loss. Roberts flew out before Robinson singled to load the bases. Anderson grounded out, but was able to drive home Jones with the go-ahead run from third base to give Newport a 3-2 lead.
The Brigade had a chance to even the score in the eighth inning against Wilcox when designated hitter Matt Beaty led off the inning with a single, catcher Brian O'Keefe followed with a walk before both runners were sacrificed into scoring position. Wilcox struck out Wendel before getting McConaughey to ground out to escape the jam and preserve the Gulls one-run lead.
Returning Gull first baseman Brett Winger singled in his first plate appearance of the season, coming in as a pinch hitter leading off the ninth inning, but was erased when second baseman Shea Donlin grounded into a double play. Donlin extended his on-base streak to 10 consecutive at-bats reaching base via a hit or walk, which dated back to the 15th inning of Tuesday night's 3-2 victory over the Mystic Schooners, with a walk in the third inning, but saw the streak come to an end in the fifth inning after reaching on an error.
Wilcox worked a one-two-three bottom of the ninth inning to record his first save of the season, the first save of the year for the Newport Gulls.
Newport will be back in action on the road, taking on Eastern Division rival Ocean State on Sunday, June 23rd for the first-ever meeting between the two franchises at Old Mountain Field in South Kingston, R.I. The Gulls will send left-hander James Mulry (1-0, 1.54 ERA) to the mound for his third start of the season. The Waves will counter with right-hander Brendon Allen (1-0, 2.16 ERA).
Since moving to Newport in 2001, the Gulls have captured the New England Collegiate Baseball League championship, the Fay Vincent Sr. Cup, an NECBL-record five times, and in 2012 were named the No. 1 summer collegiate team in the country by Perfect Game USA in Perfect Game's Top 50 final rankings, capping a record-breaking season by Newport and marking the first time ever that an NECBL franchise has been ranked No. 1 nationally.
The Gulls, which attract more than 50,000 fans annually to historic Cardines Field in Newport, recruit players from the top college baseball programs in the country, and to date have sent six alumni to Major League Baseball teams, and over 150 players to professional baseball teams ranging from Independent leagues to Triple-A.
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from June 22, 2013
- Bay Sox lose 6-4 - New Bedford Bay Sox
- Newport Gulls Edge Saratoga Brigade 3-2 - Newport Gulls
- Swamp Bats Shut Out At Vermont 9-0 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Waves roll past Laconia, 15-5, on Saturday - Ocean State Waves
- Sox rally falls just short in loss to SteepleCats - Valley Blue Sox
- Murphy Dominates in 5-4 North Adams Victory - North Adams SteepleCats
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