LYNN, MA - The Ocean State Waves held on for a narrow 6-5 win at Fraser Field against the North Shore Navigators on Wednesday, their second straight win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

    In similar fashion to their 6-1 win over Newport, this contest was dictated by early offense from the Waves. A rapid start saw them load the bases with their first three batters at the top of the first after Garrett Howe and Kyhree Miller hit a pair of leadoff singles, before Brodey Heaton was hit by a pitch. Howe eventually came home after Christian Ficca grounded into a double play as the Waves took an early 1-0 lead, but Miller was left stranded on third after Parker Rowland struck out to prevent the Waves from taking further advantage.

    The Waves would double their lead just an inning later, however, when Jack Brooks knocked in Matthew Graveline to make it a 2-0 game. Then, after loading the bases once again in the third inning, Graveline brought home Miller with an RBI single of his own before Jack Brooks grounded out to bring home Heaton for a 4-0 Waves lead.

    After retiring seven straight batters through the opening three innings, Blake Helmstetter walked Jake Berger to first before allowing his first hit of the game off the bat of Luca Trigiani in the fourth. Trigiani singled to center field, where Berger took full advantage of a fielding error, coming all the way home to put the first run on the board for the Navigators.

    In the fifth inning, the hosts made it a one-run ballgame after Berger’s RBI single brought in DJ Pacheco, before Berger came home himself on a pair of wild pitches to make it 4-3.

    The Waves re-took a two run lead in the seventh when Jack Brooks hit his third RBI of the day to bring home Brodey Heaton, but a huge 2-RBI single off the bat of Brandon Drapeau at the bottom of the frame with the bases loaded saw the Navigators knot the game at five with two frames to play.

    The Waves eventually found the go-ahead run at the top of the eighth, where Miller’s RBI single brought home Alex Ramirez. Although narrow, the lead was enough as Ocean State held on for their second straight win. It is the first time the Waves have tacked together two straight victories since July 2, and keeps them just 0.5 games out of the final playoff spot at 18-21-1.

    On the mound, Blake Helmstetter got the start, striking out seven and retiring eighth of his first nine batters before ultimately allowing four hits and three runs. Alex Logusch pitched two scoreless innings in relief while allowing only a single hit to get the win, while Austin Wainer picked up his fourth save of the season, and third against the Navigators after pitching a pair of scoreless innings of his own to end the game. In total, Waves pitching hurled 13 strikeouts while their offense combined for 13 hits, all of which were singles. 

    Up next, The Waves return to Old Mountain Field for their final home game of the 2023 regular season, set to face the Mystic Schooners for the seventh and final time this season. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on the NECBL Broadcast Network.