In a game that saw excellent efforts by relief pitchers on both teams, the Sea Kings Varsity finally broke through to score a run in the top of the eleventh inning and go on to clinch a 5-4 victory over the Marina Vikings.
The Vikings were first to score a run when a fielding miscue led to an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning to put Marina up 1-0.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Vikings chased Sea Kings starter, Stonehill College-commit Marcello Anelli (‘25) and appeared to be in control of the game when they plated three more runs.
The Sea Kings stormed back to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the sixth inning. The inning started with Princeton-commit Vincent Menard (‘25) earning a walk. Brady Gadol (‘25) then drove a 2-0 pitch into left field to put runners at first and second bases. Sea Kings shortstop Ganon Overfelt (‘25) then singled to center field and by the time the dust had settled as the Vikings retrieved the ball and errantly sent it back into the infield, both Menard and Gadol had scored and Overfelt was on third base. Stevie Jones (‘26) then singled to score Overfelt and the Sea Kings were within one run. The Sea Kings then loaded the bases courtesy of a hit by pitch and another fielding error on the part of the Vikings. JJ Haley (‘28) hit a sacrifice fly to center field and the Sea Kings had knotted the score at 4-4.
It was at this point in the game that the relievers for both teams really took charge. Neither team threatened until it was the Vikings’ turn to bat in the bottom of the ninth. A leadoff triple was followed by a strikeout. The Sea Kings then intentionally walked the next two batters to set up a force play at any base. The gambit paid off when the Sea Kings called upon reliever Noah Bertrand (‘25) and the next Vikings’ batter grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Both team went three up and three down in the tenth inning.
In the top off the eleventh inning, Haley got a one-out single and stole second base after the Sea Kings had made their second out. Third baseman William Chiechi then delivered a clutch two-out double to drive home Haley and the Sea Kings had taken the lead for the first time in the game.
The Sea Kings brought in ace Jones to pitch the bottom of the eleventh and seal the game. Things went according to plan through Jones’ first five pitches, as he secured two quick outs via a ground out and a strikeout. Trouble started to brew when the Sea Kings committed an error and then Jones hit a batter giving the Vikings hope with two runners on base. Jones was able to induce another ground ball out and the Sea Kings secured a gritty, come-from-behind victory, 5-4.
Ben Stone (‘26) shined out of the bullpen for the Sea Kings, as did Bertrand. Stone ended his day pitching four and two-thirds innings, allowing two hits and no runs, while striking out three Vikings. Bertrand pitched one and two-thirds innings of no hits, no runs baseball.
On offense, Chiechi’s game-winning RBI was part of a two for four day for the senior. Fellow senior Overfelt wrapped up his day two for five with a run scored and an RBI. And freshman Haley was two for four with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
The Sea Kings Varsity hosts the Marina Vikings for game two of their series on Wednesday, April 16.