By GABBI RIGGI
It took extra innings and a home run derby, but the Navigators defeated the Brockton Rox 2-1 on Wednesday night.
After ten innings, the game went to a newly implemented home run derby “shootout.”Brockton went to bat first, and neither first hitter Chris Berry nor Tremaine Spears were able to drive the ball far enough for the Rox. Daniel Jung gave the team a leading two home runs that the Navigators had to match or surpass to continue playing.
Alex Brickman (St. Petersburg), the only Navigator to come to bat, sailed three consecutive long balls as the three-minute time limit was winding down to seal the victory.
The Navigators improve to 6-5 in their last 11 and are credited with the win as the team has come back around after starting off the season on a slow 1-12 start.
Pitcher Austen Michel (Dartmouth) struck out seven in his six innings on the mound. Brad Douglas (Rhode Island College) earned a painful RBI by taking a ball to the back to bring across the only Navigators run of the night.
The Navigators look to take another against Brockton at home on Friday. Fraser Field will host Autism Awareness Night and cap of the game with the first fireworks of the season.