The Newport Gulls (2-1) defeated the Ocean State Waves (1-2) 7-1, led by Billy Butler’s three-run homer and Jake Hunter’s (Eastern Carolina) 11-strikeout performance to advance to a Final Four Series against the Danbury Westerners.

The Bristol Blues (2-1) defeated their West Division rival Valley Blue Sox (1-2) 10-3, led by Luke Benneche’s (Northwestern) six strikeouts across five scoreless innings to advance to a Final Four Series against the Sanford Mainers.

#1 Newport Gulls 7 - #8 Ocean State Waves 1

NEWPORT, R.I. - The top-seeded Newport Gulls (2-1) advanced to the Final Four Series after defeating the Ocean State Waves (1-2) 7-1 in a winner-take-all Game 3 at Cardines Field on Wednesday night to avoid a first round upset.

Newport’s Luke Beckstein (Northeastern) advanced to first on a leadoff hit-by-pitch in the first inning. After two straight fly outs and another hit-by-pitch by Michael Anderson (URI), Beckstein came around to score on a Matthew Schark (Southern Illinois Carbondale) RBI single to give Newport the early lead.

The Gulls extended their lead in the second inning after Billy Butler (URI) reached base on a walk, advanced to second on a Jacob Burley (Brown) single and advanced to third on a Luke Beckstein fielder’s choice. Butler scored on a two-out RBI single by college teammate Michael Anderson.

Ocean State scored its lone run of the game in the third inning, which began with runners on the corners after a single by Christian Ficca (Georgetown) and a double by Jackson Phinney (Bryant). David Mershon’s (Mississippi State) RBI groundout brought home Phinney to bring the Waves within one run.

Newport quickly answered with three runs in the bottom half of the third inning to take a 5-1 lead. Slate Alford (Mississippi State) reached base with a leadoff single before Kolton Freeman (Dartmouth) walked and Butler brought home both runners with a two-out three-run blast.

The Gulls added two more insurance runs with a Tyler Hare (Georgia Tech) RBI single which scored Kolby Branch (Baylor) in the fourth inning and later an RBI fielder’s choice by Burley following a leadoff double by Branch in the seventh inning.

Newport starter Jake Hunter (East Carolina) put together a strong outing with 11 strikeouts and just one run surrendered across seven innings of work. Ryan Andrade (URI) entered the game in the eighth inning and struck out four across two scoreless innings, sealing a 7-1 victory for the Gulls.

After winning the playoff edition of the Pell Bridge Series, Newport will take on the No. 7 seed Danbury Westerners with Game 1 at Cardines Field on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m.

#6 Bristol Blues 10 - #3 Valley Blue Sox 3

HOLYOKE, Mass. - The Bristol Blues (2-1) took the third game of the Opening Series, defeating the Valley Blue Sox (1-2) 10-3 on Wednesday night.

In the top of the first, the Blues took an early 1-0 lead after Valley Blue Sox pitcher Dillion Ryan (Massachusetts Boston) balked, which allowed Jordan Peyton (Towson U) to score from third. 

The Blues scored two more runs to take a 3-0 lead after an error by the pitcher and an RBI double hit by Connor Goodman (Maine Orono).

The Blues took a 6-0 lead after adding three more runs in the third inning. The scoring started with a sacrifice fly, advancing Gavin Noriega (Bryant U) to second and sending Tyler Fote (Central CT) to home plate. Billy Sullivan (Southern CT) hit an RBI single, scoring Noriega, and Cal Parrillo (Rhode Island). 

In the fifth, Skye Selinsky (Columbia U) advanced to second on a stolen base and Parrillo hit an RBI double to send him home.

A passed ball from the Blue Sox catcher in the sixth advanced Ian Battipaglia (Franklin Pierce) to second, and Peyton’s RBI double scored him, giving the Blues a commanding 10-0 lead.

In the seventh and eighth the Blue Sox put three runs on the board sparking a potential comeback effort. An RBI single hit by Jeff Pierantoni (Yale) gave the Blue Sox their first run, and Michael Zarrillo’s (Lafayette) RBI single scored Christopher Willis (college) and Matthew Bergevin (Fairfield) to cut the deficit to 10-3.

Luke Benneche (Northwestern) was credited with the win after striking out six across five scoreless innings, helping the Blues defeat their West Division rival.

The Blues advance to the Final Four Series to face the Sanford Mainers, with Game 1 at Goodall Park on Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.