Gulls Start Playoffs Monday

Entering the final game of the 2014 NECBL season, the Newport Gulls were trying not only to clinch the second seed in the Southern Division, but to reach the 25-win plateau for the fourteenth-straight season. In a rain-shortened contest that ended after six innings due to unsuitable field conditions, solid offensive contributions propelled the Gulls to an 8-6 victory over the Plymouth Pilgrims. The regular season finale was played in front of 97 fans at Forges Field.

The Gulls offense jumped to an early start against Pilgrims starter Dylan Cummiskey. Both Tommy Edman and Ben Roberts singled to start the inning, setting things up for Tanner Donnels. Donnels lined a two-run double into the outfield, driving home both Edman and Roberts. Donnels eventually scored on an RBI groundout by Jose Vizcaino Jr., giving the Gulls an advantageous 3-0 lead.

Getting the start for the Gulls was southpaw Layne Bruner, who was making his first start since June 12 against the Pilgrims. The lefty from Washington State went five innings, allowing six runs on four hits, walking seven while striking out a season-high seven hitters.

After stranding two runners in scoring position in the first, Bruner allowed his first run of the game in the bottom of the second. With Bruner allowing a leadoff single to Ryan Xepoleas and two walks to David Murphy and Anthony Deleo, a sacrifice fly by Brett Morgan enabled Xepoleas to score from third. Although Bruner retired the next two batters, the Gulls still led the Pilgrims, 3-1.

Coming into Sunday’s game with 41 RBI’s on the season, Blaise Salter blasted his ninth home run into the Gulls history book, tying the team record for most RBI’s in a season (previously set by Steve Anderson in 2013). Salter’s colossal blast, which gave him a share of the league’s home run title with Mystic’s Brad Zunica, gave the Gulls a 4-1 lead.

However, the Pilgrims stormed back by stringing together a rally in the bottom of the fourth. With Murphy and Deleo both reaching on walks, Pilgrims center fielder James Bunn hit his first home run of the season, tying the score at four.

Despite losing the lead, the Gulls retaliated by putting together a four-run rally against Cummiskey and the Pilgrims pitching staff. With Reed Gamache and Shea Donlin standing on second and third, Roberts skied a sacrifice fly to right fielder Daniel Swain, allowing Gamache to score the go-ahead run. Later on in the inning, Donnels drove in his third run of the game on an RBI double, while Vizcaino Jr. drove in two more on an RBI single of his own. After 4 1/2 innings, the Gulls held an 8-6 lead over the Pilgrims.

The Pilgrims put together a rally of their own in the bottom of the fifth. With Vincent Guglietti standing on first with a single, Pilgrims shortstop Matt Parisi hit his third of the season, putting the Pilgrims within two. However, Bruner struck out two of the next three batters he faced, ending the inning while keeping an 8-6 lead for the Gulls intact.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Gulls turned to Mark McCoy to finish the regular season on a high note. The lefty only allowed a walk to Swain, but got Thomas Roulis to ground out to third, securing his team-leading fourth save of the season while clinching an 8-6 victory for the Gulls.

With the win, the Gulls end the regular season with a 25-17 record. The victory not only secured the second seed in the NECBL Southern Division Playoffs, but it also put the Gulls at the 25-victory benchmark that they have achieved for the fourteenth consecutive season. Meanwhile, the Gulls also prevented the Pilgrims from tying their league-record for wins in a season (the Pilgrims finished 31-11, one shy of the 32 set by the Gulls in 2006), while also taking the season series for the second straight year, 5-1.

Tomorrow, the Pell Bridge Series will transcend its regular season distinction, as the Gulls will host the Ocean State Waves in Game 1 of the NECBL Divisional Semifinals at Cardines Field. John Kilichowski (2-2, 0.67 ERA) will get the start for the Gulls, while the Waves counter with Mitchell Jordan (4-1, 2.20 ERA). Tune into the NECBL Broadcast Network, as Nick Lima, Tristan Hobbes, and Tim Scott will cover the action live from Cardines Field. First pitch is slated for 6:35 pm.

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