Eighth Inning Rally Secures First Waves Win of the Season

The Ocean State Waves earned their first win of the season with a 9-6 victory over the Bristol Blues after dropping their first four games.

Luke Billings got the start on the mound for the Waves, making his second appearance of the season in a Waves uniform.

After a scoreless first inning for both teams, Billings remained strong on the mound in the top of the second.

Following a Mason Breton single to left field, Nicholas Francuzenko advanced to third, putting runners on first and third with one out.

A fly ball to center field was caught by Will Mahala, who made the throw to keep the runner at third. Billings closed out the inning and sent the game to the bottom of the second.

On the mound for the Blues was University of Connecticut pitcher Frank Spirito, whom the Waves faced in their season opener last week in Bristol, Connecticut.

A base hit from Jack LaRose allowed Samuel Fernandez to advance to third with one out, giving the Waves a strong scoring opportunity.

William Mahala then doubled to left field, driving in Fernandez and bringing LaRose into scoring position.

In the top of the third, Jack Smith replaced Billings on the mound and struggled to keep the Blues off the scoreboard. Bristol scored three runs to take a 3-1 lead.

The Waves responded with a run of their own after Gray Eubanks singled to center field, bringing home Gabriel Milano.

A strong single that the Blues' second baseman could not handle brought Max Farrell home to score. Moments later, Eubanks crossed the plate after Mahala singled to center field, giving the Waves a 4-3 lead heading into the fourth inning.

The Blues attempted to generate offense in the top of the fourth but were shut down by Waves pitcher Dylan McCarthy and the Waves defense.

A scoreless bottom of the fourth sent the game into the fifth with the Waves holding a one-run lead.

The Waves turned to Hudson Barton on the mound in the top of the fifth. Barton started the inning strong, but Christopher DiPrima doubled to right field with no outs to ignite a Bristol scoring threat.

Although Barton recorded two strikeouts, he was unable to escape the inning cleanly. The Blues loaded the bases and tied the game on a walk before taking a 6-4 lead.

The Waves were unable to answer in the bottom of the fifth, sending the game into the sixth inning.

Sawyer Deering took over on the mound for the Waves in the top of the sixth. After issuing a walk, Deering settled in, striking out a batter before ending the inning with a double play.

In the bottom of the sixth, Gabriel Milano singled to left field, driving in Justin Hackett to cut into the deficit.

A wild pitch by the Blues later allowed Samuel Fernandez to score, tying the game at 6-6.

Cooper Waddle closed out the game for the Waves, pitching the final two innings and preventing Bristol from adding any more runs.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Fernandez delivered the game's biggest hit, doubling to left field and driving in Max Farrell, Gabriel Milano, and Meluskey to give the Waves a 9-6 lead.

After the game, Waves head coach Jalen Borders spoke about the significance of the team's first win.

"We played really well and overcame a lot on the defensive and catching side, which was huge for us in this win," Borders said.

The Waves will look to build on their momentum when they face the Danbury Westerners on Thursday with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.