By: Shannon Bickert

The Schooners travel to Bristol on Saturday, July 13 to face the Bristol Blues at Muzzy Field. Mystic enters the night with the second best record in the NECBL, posting a 16-10 mark. Bristol comes into the contest ranked fifth overall with a 15-13 record. Mystic has been on fire on the road this season, posting a 9-1 road record.

Mystic trails the season series to Bristol 2-1. In their last meeting, Bristol defeated Mystic 9-1 at the Shipyard. Colin Crowley (Winthrop) ripped a home run and double, tallying four RBI in the contest. Anthony Belisario (GWU) drove in the lone Mystic run on an RBI-single.

The Schooners enter the night fresh off a loss against the NECBL’s best, Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. Cam Righi (UConn) recorded a three-hit night with two stolen bags in Mystic’s loss. Righi now has recorded 16 stolen bags this summer, which leads the Schooners.

Bristol comes into the game riding a four-game win streak. The Blues took down Valley at Mackenzie Stadium on Friday evening by a 7-5 final. Nick Flores (VCU) tallied a four hit night, while Cal Chance (UMass-Lowell) drove in two runs.

The Schooners and Blues rank fourth and fifth respectively in the league in pitching staff ERA. However, Bristol walked the fifth-most batters in the league this season, while the Schooners rank third in the league in on-base percentage. The Blues lead the league in walks drawn with 190 in 28 games played. Patience at the plate will play a factor in the contest.

The Blues enter the night with the fourth-worst team batting average in the NECBL, posting a .218 clip, but they get on base often via the walk, posting a .378 team on-base percentage. Mystic ranks sixth in the league in team batting average with a .242 mark.

Chris DiPrima (Yale) has been a focal point this summer for the Blues, posting a .352 batting average in 102 plate appearances. Antonio Ducatelli (CCSU) has drawn a team-leading 31 walks on the summer, while averaging .281 at the plate.

Jack Harley (Stetson) has been one of Mystic’s most consistent bats in the leadoff spot. Harley has posted a .307 batting average, tallying 15 RBI.

Mystic’s probable starter is Mike Poncini (Georgetown). Poncini has pitched to a 2.37 ERA this summer in 19 innings pitched. In his five starts, Poncini has struck out 15 hitters while posting a 1.21 WHIP. In Poncini’s last start on July 3 against the Blue Sox, he allowed two earned runs on four hits across five innings, earning the win.

First pitch for Friday’s game is set for 6:30 pm at Muzzy Field. Catch the live-game broadcast on NECBL+.