Gulls Lose Lead in 9th, Fall 4-3 to Waves

The Gulls lost to the Ocean State Waves for the second time in three games this season, a 4-3 comeback win for Ocean State. Newport fell to 14-9-1, while the Waves - the South division’s
last place team, improved to 8-16.

Will Taylor (Trinity) dominated on the mound as Newport’s starter. He gave up a first inning RBI single to Ocean State’s Max Farrell but settled in after. Taylor struck out nine in four innings ofwork, only allowing one hit, one run and walking one.

The Gulls broke through in the bottom of the third inning, Gus Gandy (Samford) led off with his first of two doubles and was brought home by Caeden Cloud (Kentucky), who has at least one RBI in his last four games. Cloud scored alongside Maddox Haley (Gonzaga) when Ryan Novak (Miami OH) ripped a two run double into the right centerfield gap. Novak continued his run scoring barrage, he’s driven in four Gulls in the last two games.

The pitchers settled in after Novak put Newport in front, Will Allen (USF) and Zane Stahl (Louisville) chipped in two scoreless innings each, eventually bringing the two teams to the ninth
inning with the Gulls still ahead 3-1. Mickey McClaskey (Gonzaga) was tasked with the save opportunity but stumbled, allowing a ground rule double from Gabriel Milano which got stuck in
the right field ivy before allowing a long, game tying homer from Cameron Pepetti. Jack LaRose walked, and Zach Plasschaert drove home the winning run. The Gulls went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth, dropping a tough loss to Ocean State.