Graphic courtesy of FCBL

The defending FCBL champion Norwich Sea Unicorns are back in the finals of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

The Sea Unicorns routed No. 4 Vermont 10-3 Thursday at their home, Dodd Stadium, and will now take on No. 2 Westfield in the FCBL finals with Game 1 Saturday at Westfield. The series will then shift to Norwich on Sunday with a potential doubleheader if three games are needed.

The Sea Unicorns, who lost the opener but won the next two in the best-of-3 semifinal series, jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead on Alex Irizary’s grand slam. Vermont, which saw its string of finals appearances end at three, closed to within 4-3 by the end of the fifth inning, but Norwich scored three in the seventh and eighth to put the game away.

Chris Carson, Aidan Baglino and Nick Sturino had key hits in the seventh for big insurance runs. Vermont was led by Zander Teator (3 for 4).

Giovanni Conte got the win on the mound for the Sea Unicorns with two innings of scoreless relief.

In any event, now the top two seeds in the FCBL will be battling for the title.

FISHER CATS RAINED OUT

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (12-21, 42-59) and Erie SeaWolves (20-15, 58-44) were held off the field at Delta Dental Stadium on Thursday night, due to inclement weather. The Fisher Cats and SeaWolves will make up for Thursday’s postponement with a doubleheader on Saturday, August 10, with game one scheduled to begin at 4:05 p.m.

New Hampshire and Erie are scheduled to resume the series on Friday, August 9 at 6:35 PM EDT. Fisher Cats RHP Abdiel Mendoza (6-7, 3.45 ERA) is slotted for his fourth start with New Hampshire of the season, while Erie RHP and Detroit’s No. 10 prospect (MLB Pipeline) Troy Melton (6-6, 4.41 ERA) gets the nod for the SeaWolves.

(Fisher Cats Media Relations contributed to this report.)