Fresh off a rest day due to precipitation, the Ocean State Waves evened up their record with a 9-5 victory over their rival Newport Gulls, taking a 1-0 lead in the Pell Bridge Series.

Like their opening contest against Danbury, the first three innings remained scoreless for both sides with both teams able to get men on base but not bring them home. Excellent starting pitching once again brought this result about, with Ocean State’s Mike Caldon and Newport’s Jackson Teer combining for 8.2 innings and 14 strikeouts between the two of them.

That all changed in the bottom of the fourth when Newport’s Brody Szako launched a two-run home run to right center field, driving in Randy Seymour and breaking the seal, giving the Gulls the first lead of the ballgame.

However in a see-saw-like fashion, Ocean State struck back in the next half inning when Tristan Head brought Zac Zyons and Cole Carbone home to even up the game 2-2.

Although, a fast Newport response lifted the Gulls back on top when Matthew Ossenfort and Jackson McKenzie were sent home by a single off the bat of Brock Murtha in the sixth, re-establishing the home team’s advantage 4-2.

The see-saw eventually stopped when the weight from the Waves prevented any further movement in the seventh inning. A seven run effort that wrapped the lineup around itself saw offensive contributions from multiple different Waves.

Starting the seventh with a bang, Zac Zyons lofted a ball over the right center field wall, disappearing amongst the trees in center field to trim the Newport lead in half 4-3.

Later in the inning, an Aaron Walton fielder's choice in the infield allowed Harrison Wilson to come home. Also an Aaron Posey single sent Head across home plate, giving the Waves their first lead of 2024, 5-4.

The finishing blow came from Greg Pettay, who’s blast into right center cleared the base paths, a grand slam for the visitors that sent cheers from strictly their own dugout, celebrating a fresh 9-4 lead.

Although the Gulls were able to get a run across in the eight, a one-two-three ninth inning granted the Waves their first victory of 2024.

The Waves are back in action tomorrow night, when they continue their trek on the road against the Mystic Schooners for yet another coastal division matchup at 6:30 p.m. from Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut.