6/1/21 Recap Sea Unicorns 14 Starfires 2 (7 IN)

(Norwich, CT) – The Norwich Sea Unicorns batted around twice in the first two innings en route to a 14-2 7-inning mercy rule victory over the Westfield Starfires. Norwich catcher Colton Bender (Lebanon, CT/Quinnipiac University) went 3-5 with three runs and two RBI and Matt Malcom (East Lyme, CT/Eastern CT State University) drove in five runs in going 2-3 with a run scored. Bender ended the game with a sensational sliding catch on a foul po in front of the backstop.

Bender’s two-run triple to right with two outs sparked the first-inning burst, followed by back-to-back RBI singles for Malcom and Dean Slavin (Tappan, NJ/Eastern CT State University). Bryan Loriga (Hialeah, FL/Elite Squad Academy) and John Mesagno (Tappan, NJ/Eastern CT State University) both drove runs with RBI singles as part of a four-run second inning. Malcom added a two-run double and Bryan Loriga delivered a two-run single as part of a four run fourth, when the Sea Unicorns batted around for the third time in the game.

Bobby McBride (Brewster, NY/UConn) struck out seven in four innings, allowing one hit while pitching around seven walks. Ryan Ahern (Orange, CT/Mitchell), Tommy Hughes (Newington, CT), and Vincenzo Camera (East Haven, CT/Westfield State University) combined to allow one earned run in relief.

Norwich rides their second win of the season into an intrastate matchup Wednesday night at Dodd Stadium against the New Britain Bees at 7:00 pm.