Waves Swept by Vermont in Doubleheader
Waves Swept by Vermont in Doubleheader
Montpelier, VT – Facing a Vermont Mountaineers squad that was undefeated going into the day, the Ocean State Waves were unable to dent their opponent’s perfect streak, losing 7-0 and 4-3 and closing out their four-game road trip with a 3-6 record.
Game 1
It was all Mountaineers to open up Wednesday’s action. Waves pitcher and reigning NECBL Honor Roll selection Joe Cinnella struck out his first batter faced and had two straight one-two-three innings in the second and third. A Ben Williamson run on an Adam Retzbach RBI hit was the only Vermont score through the first three innings.
However, the game opened up in fourth. Gerry Siracusa scored after a single shot to open up the frame thanks to Retzbach, who rounded the bases himself along with teammate Tyler Cox. A bases-loaded walk sent Steve DiTomaso in for another score to make it 5-0.
The final two scores for the Mountaineers came on a big play just an inning later. In the team’s first homer of the season, Matt Venuto sent a two-run bomb past the right field fence to cap off the scoring in the first matchup.
Inside the Box Score:
Jake Studley picked up the lone hit for the Waves, making it five straight games with a base notch for the Barrington native.
Ayden Head made his Waves debut as the closer, striking out one batter and not allowing a run through one inning of work.
Game 2
The Waves bounced back in game two, keeping up with the Mountaineers until the final moments. After a shutout in the first contest, the Waves jumped out in front first. In the second inning, each of Ocean State’s first three batters notched a base hit, with Chase Meggers, Blaine Lidsky and Justin Szestowicki all reaching base. With Meggers being tagged out at the plate, Szestowicki’s hit was enough to send Lidsky home shortly after for the Waves’ first score of the afternoon.
With the Waves holding a 1-0 advantage, both teams remained in a stalemate for much of the game. Cameron Knox got off to a solid start on the mound in his second starting nod of the season, picking up a pair of three-up, three-down innings of his own to help keep Vermont off the scoreboard through the first four frames.
After trailing for half the game, Vermont took their first lead of the game in the fifth. Vermont jumped ahead on a two-run RBI shot from reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Kade Kretzschmar. A Jack Cone score one inning later extended the Mountaineer advantage to three.
After a quick one-two-three inning in the seventh from closer Parker Bard and down to their final three outs, the Waves once again put together a streak of runs to put themselves back in the game. Hits from Szestowicki and Justin Bosland set up Jake Studley, who entered the contest as a pinch hitter. After Studley drove one in to left field for a single, an error by the Vermont outfielder allowed both Szestowicki and Bosland to reach home, suddenly knotting the game back at three.
With the Mountaineers preventing any more damage in the seventh, the Waves faced extra innings for the first time this season. Bard found himself back on the mound in the eighth with the chance for Vermont to walk-off the night with the bases loaded. Needing all three outs, the Waves forced a flyout before two commanding strikeouts from Bard got Ocean State out of the jam.
With three more quick outs in the top of the ninth, the Waves no longer had a chance to win the game, but did have the opportunity to force the tie. With another bases loaded situation and down to the final out, a Kretzschmar hit gave Jack Cone the chance from third. Needing a play to home, the throw to the plate was offline and the Mountaineers remain perfect thanks to a last-minute walk-off victory.
Inside the Box Score:
Chase Meggers recorded two hits in his second start, while Justin Szestowicki added another pair.
Szestowicki’s first shot was an RBI single that scored Blaine Lidsky for the game’s first run.
Lidsky, Pete Ciuffreda, Justin Bosland, and Jake Studley also recorded a hit.
Bosland’s hit marks his first of his summer, while Studley extends his hitting streak to six games.
Szestowicki and Bosland scored the final two Ocean State runs thanks to a Studley RBI.
Szestowicki also added a stolen base.
Parker Bard tossed three strikeouts out of the bullpen in 2.1 innings of relief.
Up Next:
The Waves return home for Military Appreciation Night at Old Mountain Field on Thursday as they host the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
