Sea Dogs Win Sixth Straight with 4-3 Walk Off in Eleven Innings

Portland, Maine- The Portland Sea Dogs (29-13) picked-up their second walk-off win of the series with a 4-3 win over New Hampshire (20-21) in 11 innings on Friday night before a sold out crowd at Hadlock Field. The Sea Dogs now have a season-high six game win streak and remain in first place in the Northeast Division of the Eastern League, 5.0 games ahead of the second place Somerset Patriots.

In his eighth start, Brian Van Belle recorded a season-high nine strikeouts after pitching 6.1 innings allowing two unearned runs on five hits while walking two.

New Hampshire took the lead in the top of the second after a pair of RBI singles by Sebastian Espino and Steward Berroa scored two unearned runs.

Corey Rosier came up with an RBI double (5) to score Tyler Dearden in the bottom of the second to put Portland within one run.

A wild pitch in the top of the seventh brought Berroa home to score Portland continued to trail, 3-2.

Rosier hit a lead off single in the bottom of the seventh before eventually being brought home to score on a balk by the pitcher, Mason Fluharty.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Ceddanne Rafaela launched one over the Maine Monster to record his second home run of the series and third of the season. The solo shot tied the ballgame, 3-3 to take the ballgame into extra innings.

In the bottom of the eleventh, Rosier was placed at second base before a pair of intentional walks loaded the bases. With Stephen Scott at the plate, a wild pitch by Gabriel Ponce allowed Corey Rosier enough time to race home and the Sea Dogs walked it off for the second time of the series.

Nick Yorke and Corey Rosier both recorded multi-hit games. Yorke went two-for-three with a pair of singles while Rosier went two-for-three with a double and a single.

Portland reliever RHP Luis Guerrero (3-0, 1.37 ERA) earned the win after pitching 2.0 perfect innings while walking one and striking out one. New Hampshire reliever RHP Gabriel Ponce (2-1, 3.00 ERA) was issued the loss after pitching 1.1 innings allowing one run on no hits while walking three and striking out two.

Yu Chang went 0-for-3 for the Sea Dogs on a MLB rehab assignment.

The Sea Dogs return to Hadlock Field tomorrow, May 27, 2023 to host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats for a double header after the postponement of Wednesday’s contest. First pitch for game one of the doubleheader is slated for 1:00pm. Portland will give the ball to LHP Brendan Nail (1-1, 0.87 ERA) while New Hampshire will start LHP Jimmy Robbins (1-4, 5.94 ERA) for game one. LHP Rio Gomez (2-1, 3.00 ERA) will take the mound for Portland while RHP Paxton Schultz (1-3, 3.96 ERA) will be the arm for New Hampshire in game two.