By: Shannon Bickert

The Schooners return home to the Shipyard looking to snap Danbury’s six-game win streak on Friday, July 24. With their loss to Newport on Wednesday, Mystic fell to third place in the NECBL South Division with a 21-15 record. The Westerners are in the hunt just behind the Schooners with a 19-17 record.

Mystic is losers of their last two contests, most recently facing a 3-2 walk-off loss to Newport on Wednesday. Heading into the ninth inning, the Schooners’ pitching staff had only allowed two hits on the evening. The Gulls strung together hits and came from behind to take the second seed in the South.

Danbury is red-hot, going 8-2 in their last ten contests and winning six consecutive games. On Thursday night, Danbury swept the double-header against the league-best Martha’s Vineyard Sharks. Since losing game one of a double-header against Mystic on July 16, Danbury has not lost a game.

The Donohue twins out of Sacred Heart have led the charge for the Westerners all season. Gavin Donohue leads the league in both RBI, with 35, and long balls, with nine. Ronan Donohue is just behind, posting 34 RBI and launching seven homers.

The Westerner’s recent hot streak has improved their team batting average to .260 on the summer, which ranks second in the NECBL. Danbury now leads the league in home runs with 44 across 36 games played.

The Schooners have spread the wealth offensively this season. Adam Troch (Duke), who recently returned to Mystic, has been strong, posting nine hits in 25 at-bats. All-Star Jack Harley (Stetson) has recorded a .283 batting average this summer, posting 19 RBI and 26 walks. Mystic’s home run derby representative and All-Star selection, Anthony Ruggiero (URI), has posted six home runs and a .532 slugging percentage.

Mystic’s probable for Friday night’s contest is Nick Santivanez (Cal St. Fullerton). Santivanez has struck out 17 hitters across 15.1 innings of work with the Schooners.

Chase DePalma (VWU) is Danbury’s probable starter. DePalma has posted a 1-1 record on the mound, pitching to a 6.06 ERA in 16.1 innings of work. DePalma has tallied 17 strikeouts and walked five hitters.

First pitch from Ed Harvey Field for Friday’s contest is slated for 6:30 pm. Tune into the live-game broadcast on NECBL+. Friday’s match up is just one of three games hosted at the Shipyard this weekend. On Saturday, Mystic hosts the Valley Blue Sox for a double-header. First pitch for game one is slated for 3:00 pm, while game two is Alumni and Host Family Night. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the seven inning game.