South Kingstown, RI- Solid pitching and clutch hitting led the Gulls to their 3rd win in the Pell Bridge series Tuesday night, 8-2.

After Newport opened the scoring in the top of the first, Ocean State would respond with two in the bottom half of the inning. Joe Simone (Wayne, NJ/ Rider) doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a Garrett Hodges (Blairsville, GA/ Kennesaw St) single, Casey Dana (Montgomery, NY/ Seton Hall) would single, driving in a run. Dillon Morton (Tampa, FL/ Winthrop) would follow that with a single, scoring Hodges.

Newport’s big blow would come in the top of the fourth inning. Getting two runners on, the inning would stay alive when Jacob Gustin (Peabody, MA/ Bryant) would reach via an error. The next batter would capitalize on the opportunity, when Hudson Haskin (Palm Beach Gardens, FL/ Tulane) would clear the bases with a grand slam, giving the Gulls a 6-2 lead. They would tack on two insurance runs in the top half of the eighth and ninth, extending the lead to 8-2, which they would go on to win by.

The Gulls starter Justin Cherry (Narragansett, RI/ URI) was lights out from that point, allowing no runs after the second inning. He finished the day throwing six innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, two walks, and striking out two. The loss for Ocean State went to Matt Semon (Valley Cottage, NY/ St. John’s), who went 3.2 innings, giving up six runs (two earned) on six hits, walking three and striking out two.

Ocean State (7-15) looks to rebound Wednesday night when they head to Mystic to take on the Schooners. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05, and can be heard online via the NECBL Broadcast Network.