All-Americans break streak with 6-2 win over Newport
By Alex Lippa
The Lowell All-Americans (4-5) broke their two game losing streak with a 6-2 win over the Newport Gulls on Thursday night. Two of Lowell’s four wins have now come at expense of the Gulls. The All-Americans were led by a home run by Matt Miller (Northeastern) and a pair of doubles by Effrey Valdez (NYIT).
The first four All-American hitters reached base to lead off the game, capped off by the first Valdez’s doubles . The third baseman hit a deep fly ball to center field which was misread by Kyle Johnson allowing two runs to score. The All-Americans tacked on another run in the inning, as Valdez scored as the Gulls traded a run for two outs when Tim Quinn (Franklin Pierce) grounded into a double play.
Lowell added another run in the fourth inning on a misplay by the Gulls. After Anthony Serino (UMass-Amherst) walked and stole second, Matt Miller (Northeastern) hit a seemingly easy grounder to second, but Derek Legg booted it and Serino scored from second.
Josh Fink (Trinity) started the game for the All-Americans and pitched three scoreless innings but had to leave the game prematurely. Bryce Nugent hit a rocket that seemed to strike Fink in the upper thigh. Fink was able to recover and throw Nugent out at first, but did not return to the game.
Fink was relieved by Will Freeman (Presbyterian) who pitched a scoreless fourth, but ran into some trouble in the fifth. Five straight Gulls reached base to start the inning, Derek Legg and Nugent each hit RBI singles to cut the deficit in half. Freeman was able to escape the jam and stranded the bases loaded to prevent further damage. Freeman had a superb outing, as those were the only runs he allowed. The right hander allowed four hits and struck out three over five innings and picked up his team leading second win of the season.
The eighth inning saw the first All-American home run at Alumni Field. With a runner on first base, Miller hit a fastball from Newport reliever Geoff Brown over the right field fence and Lowell broke the game open with a 6-2 lead.
Scott Oberg (Connecticut) pitched a scoreless ninth to seal the win for the All-Americans.
Lowell plays the final game of their three game home stand on Friday night as they take on the New Bedford Bay Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM.
