Gulls Win Second Straight after All-Star Break
NEWPORT RI-Newport entered Wednesday night’s contest hot off of a win in Vermont and an action packed All-Star Weekend, and they found their rhythm at the plate and being smart on the mound to take down the Sanford Mainers, 8-2.
Newport got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning thanks to their defense, striking out Sanford in less than ten minutes. On the mound, Newport’s starting pitcher Tristian Bristow (Vanderbilt University) was quick with three outs to end the first frame. On the other side, Newport started out strong in the first with Matt Bolton (Binghamton) scoring a run and putting the Gulls up by one.
The Mainers were able to tie the game in the top of the second with Ryan Kolben and then Kellen Strohmeyer making it home and scoring for Sanford putting them up by one. Sanford wasn’t up for long, when Kyle Branch (Oklahoma) scored for the Gulls tying the game once again.
CJ Bott (University of California, Los Angeles) entered for the Gulls in the top of the third and worked to keep the game tied. Colby Wallace (East Carolina)was able to put the Gulls ahead with an RBI single. Logan Olson (Penn State) relieved Bott at the top of the fourth after a quick half inning.
Defensively, Olson stepped up in key moments, such as being able to strike Sanford out with the bases loaded. After a slow start to the fourth inning, Matt Bolton was able to make a play for the Gulls allowing Matt Osenfort (Michigan) and Ryan Novak (Miami) to score, putting the Gulls ahead by three, 5-2.
John Downing (Seton Hall) stepped in for Olson on the mound in the sixth inning and struck out the side. The Gulls continued to be steady on offense and took an 8-2 lead in the seventh.
Marcel Kulik (Virginia Tech) closed out the game for the Gulls and shut the door on Sanford.
Even without manager Mike Coombs, the Gulls were able to pull off a win, after he had been ejected from Tuesday night's away game.
With the victory, Newport improves to 23 - 14, continuing their dominance over their Northern Division opponents. They’ll be back home at Cardines Field on Friday, July 25th to take on the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks, with first pitch set for 6:35 pm, streaming live ESPN+.
