Joseph Gravellese, North Shore Navigators Sports Information Department
North Shore Navigators (4-2) 5, Lowell All Americans (0-4) 3
LINESCORE
LOW - 1 0 0 -- 1 0 0 -- 0 1 0 ---- 3 8 0
NSR - 0 0 0 -- 0 2 0 -- 3 0 X ---- 5 9 1
W) Mike Gallo (2-0): 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 5 K, 1 BB
L) Dan Lozeau (0-1): 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 K, 0 BB
SV) Chris Prescott (3): 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K, 0 BB
NOTEBOOK
-Mike Gallo made his first start of the season after coming out of the bullpen on opening night. He responded well, picking up his second win of the season with 5 2/3 impressive innings of work. Gallo became the sixth starting pitcher in six games, joining Jimmy Lisowski, Adam Herter, Mike DiCato, Wayde Kitchens, and Mike Adams.
“I’m trying to see what I’ve got out of our six starters,” said head coach Jason Falcon after the game. “I wanted to see where we stood. We’ll eventually move one guy into a long relief role, to help out of the bullpen. I wanted to see these guys start first, before deciding who’s going to come out of the pen.”
-Chris Prescott is quickly becoming a solid closer for the Navigators, pitching a 1-2-3 9th en route to his 3rd save of the season. Through three appearances this season, Prescott has yet to give up a hit. He’s walked one and struck out six in four innings of work. “In this league, it means everything to have a guy who can come in and shut teams down,” said Falcon. “He’s able to come in and get first pitch strikes, which is huge in any league.”
“I’m not gonna go out there and throw 98,” said Prescott, explaining his approach to closing. “I rely on locating my fastball well, and using my curveball, which is my ‘plus’ pitch. I try to go after hitters.”
-With tomorrow’s game being an exhibition matchup against the United States Olympic Team, coach Jason Falcon will look to get a number of pitchers work out of bullpen without pushing them too hard. Regularly-scheduled starter Jimmy Lisowski will get the ball, but he’ll only pitch around 5 innings – no more than 100 pitches. Falcon expects to get Ryan Krull into the game for at least one inning, while Adam Herter, who will start on Wednesday night, may pitch an inning in lieu of a bullpen session.
-Sean McNaughton continued his hot streak, going 2-for-3 on the day with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. Ever since moving to the leadoff spot, McNaughton has taken off; he scored three runs in each of the last two games before having another big game tonight.
“I think in the beginning he was a little worried about what was going on with the draft,” explained Falcon. “Now he’s settling in and he’s comfortable. He’s playing very well. It’s great to have a guy who can run and swing the bat the way he can.”
-Justin Little, who injured his bicep in batting practice the other night in Sanford, made his first appearance since then, pinch running in the 8th inning. Falcon says that he’s still not ready to bat, and won’t be for at least a week, but “his real strength is in his legs, and as long as we can utilize him in a pinch running situation, we will.”
-Relief pitcher Chris Kowalski, who has yet to give up a run this year, pitching another scoreless 1/3 of an inning tonight, smacked a home run to left field while taking swings in batting practice.
“So you liked that, huh?,” he laughed. “At BC, one of the things I like to do is just try to hit the ball out, every time. I might be DHing next year for a few games… I like to drop a few bombs here and there.”
-The Navigators honored participants in the Comcast Reading Program tonight in a special on-field ceremony before the game.
QUOTES
Jason Falcon, Head Coach
On the team’s victory tonight:
“Three in a row. It’s nice. Again, though, it’s still early in the year, and we’re still trying to figure ourselves out. We’re learning who we are every single day. I’m proud of our guys for battling tonight.”
On the 3-run seventh inning, and Nick Belcher’s bases-clearing double:
“The pitcher was getting the ball up there a little bit, and the guys on the bench were talking about sitting on a fastball and driving one to the gap. Nick Belcher’s been swinging the bat real well, and he found one that he could drive. We’re really coming around at the plate as a team.”
On Gallo:
“He had some jitters, with this being his first start. He really wanted to play for us this summer – he worked his butt off for me in a workout, and really impressed us. He proved that he belonged here. He did okay, overall. His ball got up a little bit, but he learned a little bit and made adjustments when needed.”
On Justin Little’s bicep injury (Little appeared as a pinch runner tonight)
“We’re not sure when Little is going to be able to bat again. Probably another week or so. But his real strength is in his legs, and as long as we can utilize him in a pinch running situation, we will.”
On the plans for the rotation.
“I’m trying to see what I’ve got out of our six starters. I wanted to see where we stood. We’ll eventually move one guy into a long relief role, to help out of the bullpen. I wanted to see these guys start first, before deciding who’s going to come out of the pen.”
On Chris Prescott, and the importance of having a good closer.
“In this league, it means everything to have a guy who can come in and shut teams down. He’s able to come in and get first pitch strikes, which is huge in any league.”
On Sean McNaughton:
“I think in the beginning he was a little worried about what was going on with the draft. Now he’s settling in and he’s comfortable. He’s playing very well. It’s great to have a guy who can run and swing the bat the way he can.”
Chris Prescott, Closer
On being the closer:
“At the first practice, coach told me I’d be one of the guys coming in at the end of the game. After the opener, he told me I’d be in this role. I’d been closing at school, so I’m used to closing out games. I’ve been feeling good on the hill, I feel comfortable in the role.”
On approach to c losing:
“I’m not gonna go out there and throw 98. I rely on locating my fastball well, and using my curveball, which is my ‘plus’ pitch. I try to go after hitters.”
Chris Kowalski, relief pitcher:
On his batting practice home run
“So you liked that, huh? (laughs)… At BC, one of the things I like to do is just try to hit the ball out, every time. I might be DHing next year for a few games… I like to drop a few bombs here and there.”
Nick Belcher:
On his 3-run double in the 7th:
“I’d faced the pitcher before, and I got some pitches to hit and grounded out. I figured I’d get a fastball, and second pitch he put one inner half that I was able to get good wood on.”
On the team:
“We’re playing well enough to win right now. We’re executing when we have to. As long as we do the little things, we’ll win ballgames.”
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