The Blues suffered a heartbreaking loss on Monday night, falling to the Newport Gulls 5-4 in 11 innings. 

Carson Renner had a strong outing at Cardines Field, going five innings with seven strikeouts. The Penn State product only allowed one earned run, lowering his earned run average to 3.24 for the 2025 season. Vincent Spizzoucco (Portal), Nick Kane (Sacred Heart), and Kyle Emmons (Townson) combined for five relief innings of one-run ball. Emmons struck out six batters in two and a third innings of work.

Bristol got on the board first with a Jack Hopko (Rhode Island) RBI groundout in the top of the third. Newport would tie the game in the very next inning, as Petey Craska delivered with a run-scoring single to make it 1-1 going into the fifth inning.

With the game still tied at one in the bottom of the seventh, Adrian Areizaga grounded into a fielder's choice to put the Gulls up 2-1. In the top of the ninth, Nate Lincoln (Marist) would reach with a single. After a stolen base and a flyout that would move him to third, Lincoln would come across to score thanks to a game-tying sacrifice fly from Joey DeMucci (Penn State). The game headed to extra innings tied at two. 

After both teams traded runs in the 10th inning, the Blues took a 4-3 lead in the top of the 11th as Lincoln scored the run. In the bottom of the 11th, however, Kyle Branch worked a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at four. Shortly after, Josh Castellani would score the winning run to give Newport the walk-off victory.

The Blues have dropped their second straight game, falling to a 7-4 record on the year. They remain in first place in the South Division, sitting a half-game ahead of the Mystic Schooners (6-4). 

With an off day on Tuesday, Bristol will return to action on Wednesday night. They'll host the Danbury Westerners at Muzzy Field, with first ptich expected for 6:30. 

Written by Gavin Murray

Photo by Johannah Lee