Newport strikes early to take Game 1, 5-1

Timmy Robinson, USC 

NEWPORT, RI- Wild pitches and errors plagued the Schooners in the first inning, as the Gulls scored three in the first on their way to a 5-1 victory.

Three runners scored during outfielder Timmy Robinson's at bat, on a wild pitch and his reach on error. The early scoring backed starter Mark McCoy, who went six strong and didn't allow any runs while striking out six. McCoy picked up the win, while Mystic starter Anthony Galan was hit hard. Galan made it just three and a third, allowing five runs (all earned) on eight hits and struck out four, and was handed the loss.

After the first inning outburst, the Gulls struck again in the bottom of the third. Ty Moore knocked in Robinson with a RBI single to go up 4-0. The very next inning, Steve Anderson had a RBI single of his own, driving in Shea Donlin to lead 5-0.

Newport wouldn't score again, however, as the combination of four different pitchers over the next four and two thirds innings held the Gulls to just three hits. Tucker Panciera, Eric Morse, Nick Donatiello and Michael Eckerle finished the game out for Mystic.

Mystic threatened in the top of the eighth by scoring off a Nico Darras RBI single, but Gulls reliever Tyler Ferguson worked out of a jam and got the Schooners to strand three baserunners.

Ferguson threw two innings in relief after McCoy left, striking out four while allowing one earned run on three hits. Kyle Wilcox came on for the ninth, walking one but shutting down any Schooners threat.

Newport leadoff hitter Donlin finished the day 3-4 with a walk and a run scored, as him and #2 hitter Adrian English combined to go 6-9 with three runs scored.

Schooners cleanup hitter, first basemen Nico Darras went 3-4 with a RBI, while Brandon Cipolla continued his hot streak (.357 in the playoffs) with a double and a run scored.

Newport has a chance to sweep the Schooners and have the oppurtinity to win back-to-back NECBL championship in tonights game at Fitch High School in Mystic. The Gulls will send Michigan State junior Mick Van Vossen (3-0, 2.45 ERA) to the hill to face off against Rider junior Kurt Sowa (3-2, 3.04 ERA) for the Schooners.