LIVE: It's North v South as Navs, Gulls collide

North Shore Navigators v. Newport Gulls, 7/15/08, 7 PM

Starting Pitchers
NEW: Greg Holle (1-1, 4.26 ERA)
NSR: Matt Costello (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

NEW 0 0 0 / 0 1 0 / 0 0 0 - 1 5 2
NSR 0 0 3 / 0 0 1 / 3 0 - 7 10 0

9:48 PM: Final score: 7-1 Navigators. Big win.

9:47 PM: Two down!

9:46 PM: One away.

9:43 PM: Birthday Boy Chris Prescott (21st) is in to pitch the 9th for the Navs.

9:35 PM: All-star Jason Markovitz pitches another scoreless inning, and the Navs take their 7-1 lead into the bottom of the 8th.

9:31 PM: The Navs pull off their second twin killing of the night, keeping the bases empty with two outs.

9:25 PM: Markovitz in to pitch for the Navs.

9:22 PM: Pesanello absolutely crushes a double to left to make it 7-1. Kuehl crosses the plate, giving him 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in on the day.

9:16 PM: And that'll be all tonight for Tom Costigan. In to pitch, lefty Geoff Brown (1-2, 7.45 ERA).

9:15 PM: Tyler Kuehl ropes a 2-run double to left that may well have put this one out of reach - it's 6-1 Navs.

9:07 PM: Costigan is still going strong for Newport - an impressive outing out of the 'pen after the short start by Holle.

9:05 PM: Costello gives the Navs another seven strong, putting his team in position to win this one. There's a lot of action down in the 'pen, so it looks like Costello's done for the night.

8:52 PM: Geason drops in a base hit down the right field line to make it 4-1.

8:45 PM: Kuehl steals 2nd and goes to 3rd on a wild throw by Melillo.

8:43 PM: Kuehl continues to demonstrate his ability to hit it to any part of the field, poking a leadoff single to get the 6th inning started off right.

The Revere (yay!) youth group in front of us is getting very loud and in to the game now, firing up the crowd with "We Will Rock You" and The Wave. It's Revere Night at Fraser, which included mayor Thomas Ambrosino throwing out the first pitch (a sidearm strike, by the way).

8:23 PM: Santomauro hits it right up the middle - Belcher ranges way over to his left to knock it down, and forces an out at first, but a run scores from 3rd.

8:21 PM: The Gulls have their firswt threat of the game, runners at 1st & 3rd with 1 out for Nick Santomauro.

8:09 PM: Costello whiffs Gregory to end the 4th.

7:57 PM: In to pitch for Newport, #25 Tom Costigan. (2-2, 4.01 ERA)

7:56 PM: The Gulls demonstrate a quick hook, pulling Holle after 2 2/3 IP, 3 H, and (so far) 3 R. He also walked 3 and struck out 1.

7:55 PM: Joshua Garton knocks an RBI single to right to make it 3-0, and this place is getting loud.

7:52 PM: Tyler Kuehl hits an RBI single to put the Navs up 2-0.

7:51 PM: Time and time again, speed kills. Belcher hits a high flyout to the center fielder, but thanks to the double steal, Bruinsma is able to tag up and cruise home for the game's first run.

7:50 PM: With one out, the Navs pull off the double steal.

7:48 PM: Jesse Bruinsma pokes the Navs' first hit of the night, just past the shortstop and in to left field. A walk to Provencher puts runners on 1st & 2nd for co-player of the week Sean McNaughton.

7:43 PM: The Navs turn a slick 6-4-3 double play on a grounder by Soccoro to end thetop of the 3rd.

7:37 PM: Geason swings at the first pitch and gives it a ride to deep center, but Rhoad tracks it down to strand three and end the inning.

7:36 PM: The bases are loaded with two outs for Kyle Geason, thanks to two walks and a hit batsman.

7:25 PM: A man with a radar gun has given us an official reading on Costello: 88 MPH

7:22 PM: Costello is bringing the heat tonight. We're not privy to a radar gun, but he looks to be hitting 90 - or at least the high 80s - with his fastball.

7:20 PM: Bruinsma was just involved in a very long, highly entertaining rundown between second and third, and very nearly escaped. He was picked off attempting to steal third, but nearly wriggled out of it using some blazing speed. He may well be the fastest guy on the team.

7:11 PM: New guys Joshua Garton, Jesse Bruinsma and Frank Pesanello are in the lineup tonight. Bruinsma led off, and reached first on a throwing error by the pitcher.

6:28 PM: It's a lively night at Fraser Field as we get set for a battle between two of the best teams in the league, the North Shore Navigators and the Newport Gulls. Fans have already been treated to a pre-game musical performance on the first base party deck.

There's a real buzz in the park as there are a number of groups in attendance, including a youth group just below us in section E. Youth groups often bring great atmosphere to the ballpark.