Season Ticket Members See Sea Dogs Walk-off Win

The Worcester Red Sox transported Season Ticket Members to Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine, Sunday, July 17. Three coach buses carrying 120 fans departed Polar Park as the first edition of the WooSox’ ‘Baseball on the Road,’ an initiative bringing fans who want to explore new ballparks within driving distance of Worcester.

The Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, played host to the Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

Aside from the game itself, Season Ticket Members were in store for multiple surprises throughout the day. Off the bus, the WooSox faithful were shuttled directly onto the outfield grass of Hadlock Field, before enjoying a buffet atop Gifford’s Pavillion.

WooSox mascot, Smiley Ball, was also on hand to take part in Hadlock’s ‘Mascot Mania’.

“This outing is outstanding,” said Season Ticket Member Shirley DiIorio. “The breakfast was beautiful, the ride up was nice, we watched ‘A League of their Own,’ which really hits home for us. It’s my first time here in Portland, Maine, and my first time here at the ballpark. I think it’s great that they tie it all together between the Sea Dogs and the WooSox.”

The trip to Portland was the first of its kind, both traveling to other stadiums, and hosting outings for members outside of Worcester. WooSox Season Ticket Member Experience Manager Caroline Meizen wants members to feel like the essential part of the team that they are.

“They are part of the WooSox,” Meizen said. “They are our biggest fans and most loyal supporters. We’ve been hearing from people that they love coming to every WooSox game, but what else can we be doing? Thinking about that Season Ticket Member experience, it’s just diving further past WooSox games.”

Season Ticket Member Richard Giannetta believes the WooSox season ticket experience stretches beyond Worcester.

“They make you feel like you’re part of [the] Red Sox itself, they do so much for you, so it’s a great experience here as a season ticket [member],” Giannetta said.

The Sea Dogs jumped out to an early lead, scoring nine runs on three home runs in the first two innings. Third baseman Alex Binelas, who joined the Sea Dogs roster on June 24, hit two home runs in each of the first two innings.

“We’re noticing the names to keep track of, who might be coming up to Worcester—we’ve seen them here, and we’ll see them there,” DiIorio said.

Binelas was acquired alongside Jackie Bradley, Jr. from the Milwaukee Brewers for Hunter Renfroe this past offseason.

Scoring nine in the first two innings, and only one in innings three through eight, the Sea Dogs allowed the Patriots to climb back into the ballgame, eventually taking the lead in the top of the ninth 10-11.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Sea Dogs managed to put two men in scoring position for first baseman Cole Kottam, who knocked a ground-rule-double to score the tying and winning runs, and walking the Sea Dogs off as winners.

“[The win] makes it more special, they’re our team-to-be team,” said Season Ticket Member Beth Keenan.

The ‘Baseball on the Road’ outing was available to Full Season Ticket Members, but upcoming events— Family Movie Night on August 26 and multiple On-Field Batting Practices—will be available to Full Season and Half Season Members.

“I think everyone is so proud to be a part of this team, and be a part of something bigger than baseball itself,” Meizen said.