By: Shannon Bickert

The Schooners are back in action at the Shipyard for an NECBL South Division matchup against the Newport Gulls on Thursday, July 9. Newport is second in the South with a 16-9-1 record, while Mystic is in third place with a 15-9 record on the summer.

Mystic is coming off a road win against Keene, improving their road record to 9-1. The Schooners won by a 5-2 final. Anthony Belisario (Portal) ripped a two-run shot to center field and tallied three RBI on the night. MJ Bollinger (UConn) was awarded his second save of the season with 1.1 innings of work.

Newport is fresh off a win against the Valley Blue Sox, taking a 12-9 victory at Cardines. Maddox Haley (Gonzaga) recorded a two-home run day, finishing the game with six RBI. Gus Gandy (Samford) also ripped a homer for the Gulls in the win.

The long ball has played a huge role in Newport’s success this summer. The Gulls lead the NECBL in home runs with 28. The squad averages just over a home run a contest. The Gulls have a powerful lineup up and down. Ryan Novak (MiamiU) leads the league in home runs, while Caeden Cloud (UK) and Tristan Salinas (Rutgers) are both tied for second with four homers.

The Gulls lead the season series 2-1 over the Schooners. In their last meeting on Independence Day, Newport took down Mystic at the Shipyard by a 7-1 final in five innings. Mason Ligenza (UPitt) and Salinas both ripped multi-run home runs in the contest. For Mystic, Joel Collado (URI) knocked his second long ball of the summer, the lone Mystic tally of the game.

The Gulls enter the day with the best team batting average in the league, sitting at .265. The Schooners rank fifth with a .239 team average. Both teams rank in the top three in the league in on base percentage this summer.

Mystic has been one of the strongest teams on the basepaths this summer, stealing 77 bags. Newport has swiped 41 bases this season while surrendering 56 stolen bases to opponents.

Nick Santivanez (Cal St. Fullerton) is Mystic’s probable starter for Thursday’s contest, his second start of the season. Santivanez has pitched to a 4.32 ERA across 8.1 innings pitched this summer. Santivanez has struck out nine opponents and tallied a 1.20 WHIP.

First pitch from Ed Harvey Field is set for 6:30 pm. Catch the live-game broadcast on NECBL+.