Newport Bats Get Hot in Win

The Newport Gulls were able to scratch in win number 21 Monday night, defeating the Bristol Blues 10-2 at Cardines Field behind a dominant pitching performance and continued timely hitting from the entire Gulls lineup.

Newport struck first in the opening inning as Ryan Novak (Miami U (OH)) lined an RBI single to right-center, bringing home Gus Gandy (Samford University) for an early 1-0 lead. Starting pitcher Will Taylor (Notre Dame) made that advantage stand through the first three innings, allowing just two hits while keeping the Blues off the scoreboard.

Bristol briefly evened the game in the fourth on an RBI single from Thomas Zwirecki, but the Gulls wasted little time responding. Mason Ligenza (Pittsburgh) came around to score after a throwing error by the Bristol shortstop before Devan Zirwas (Coastal Carolina) delivered the biggest swing of the inning, driving a two-run single into right to score Peter Mershon (Coastal Carolina) and Cade Brown (Georgia Tech), extending Newport's lead to 4-1.

The Blues trimmed the deficit to two in the sixth after a Newport throwing error allowed Antonio Ducatelli to score, but the Gulls immediately answered in the bottom half. Brown crossed the plate on a Zirwas fielder's choice, restoring the three-run cushion and setting the stage for an explosive seventh inning.

Ligenza sparked the rally with a leadoff double before Brandon Larson (USC) followed with an RBI single through the middle. Moments later, Zirwas put the game out of reach, launching a bases-clearing double down the right-field line to drive in Gandy, Mershon, and Larson. Newport added one final run in the eighth when Ryan Novak scored on a double play, capping a convincing 10-2 victory.

Zirwas led the offensive charge, finishing 2-for-5 with a double and a remarkable six RBIs, while Ligenza, Larson and Ernie Echevarria (UPenn) each added two-hit performances.

On the mound, Newport's pitching staff was equally impressive. Taylor allowed just one earned run over four innings before Zane Stahl (Louisville) earned the victory with three innings of relief, surrendering just one unearned run while striking out three. Colby Wallace (East Carolina U) slammed the door with two perfect innings, retiring all six batters he faced as the Gulls secured their 21st win of the season.