The Newport Gulls wrapped up their regular season Wednesday night with a 21-10 loss to the Mystic Schooners at Cardines Field, but for a team that had already clinched the Southern Division title, the result was far less important than what lies ahead.
With nothing left to prove in the regular season, Newport treated the finale as an opportunity to rest key players and experiment with their lineup. The Gulls dressed just nine position players, had their pitchers hit for themselves, and kept only two hurlers available before turning to position players on the mound.
“Tonight’s game gave a little bit of fun for the Newport Gulls, their players and their coaches because it is the first game where there is no stress and no pressure to try and get the win,” according to team notes.
For Mystic, however, the stakes were much higher, and the Schooners took full advantage of Newport’s skeleton crew approach. Starting pitcher Tristan Aasland and the Schooners jumped on Gulls starter CJ Bott of UCLA early and never let up, capitalizing on Newport’s thin pitching staff throughout the night.
Despite the lopsided score, there were bright spots for the Gulls. Josh Castellani of Clemson provided a highlight with his first home run of the summer — a three-run blast to deep center field. Later in the game, Adam Agresti of St. Johns continued his hot hitting streak with a solo shot that disappeared into the night sky.
Defensively, outfielder Michael Gupton of Memphis and infielder Castellani flashed some leather with standout plays that reminded fans why this team is chasing a three-peat.
The loss matters little now, as both teams will meet again today at 6:35 p.m. at Cardines Field for Game 1 of the quarterfinal playoffs. This time, everything will be on the line.
“The regular season is done but now the real season has begun,” team officials noted. “Every game matters and there is no room for error as the Gulls chase down that three peat quest.”
The playoff opener will be broadcast on ESPN+, with a potential Game 2 scheduled for Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Fitch Field in Groton, Connecticut, and a decisive Game 3, if necessary, returning to Newport on Sunday at 6:35 p.m.
For the Gulls, Wednesday’s exhibition-style loss was simply the calm before the storm. The real season starts today.
