Written by Ethan Hudson

NEW BRITAIN – Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The New Britain Bees took this motto to heart as they defeated the Lowell Spinners 10-0 at home tonight. The game ended in the bottom of the eighth inning after the Bees’ 10th run crossed home plate, in accordance with the Futures League’s mercy rules. By far their most dominant win of the season, New Britain now improves to 11-6, tied for first in the FCBL.

The game started on a positive note for the Bees. Starting pitcher Colby Dimenna (Western New England/Cromwell, CT) worked a seamless 1-2-3 first inning on just 12 pitches, a foreshadowing for what the rest of the game would look like for him on the mound. Dimenna lasted five innings, yielding only two hits and one walk while striking out a pair of hitters, inducing soft contact all night long.

The Bees backed up their starter with immediate run support as well. A walk by leadoff hitter Danny Rogers (Salve Regina/New Canaan, CT) , a single by second baseman Amato Civitello (UConn/East Haven, CT) and a walk by designated hitter James Fagnant (UConn Avery Point/East Granby, CT) loaded the bases. From there, the Spinners did the rest of the work for New Britain. Right fielder Robbie Lamond (Wheaton/North Kingstown, RI) was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run. Then, a wild pitch allowed Civitello to score, giving the Bees a 2-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the first.

They continued to tack on runs, too. Third baseman Ben Kuja (Brandeis/Madison, CT) ripped an RBI single, sending Fagnant home. Finally, to cap off an eventful bottom of the first, Lamond stole home, partially aided by Kuja swiping second at the same time. The Bees were up 4-0 after the first inning.

It wasn’t long before New Britain stung the Lowell pitching staff again. In the bottom of the third, left fielder Brady Paul (Winthrop/Midlothian, VA) laced a double down the right field line. One batter later, Kuja singled to right field and notched his second RBI of the evening. After three innings, the Bees led 5-0.

After mowing through the Spinner’s order in the fourth, Dimenna’s final trick was working out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth. To start the sixth inning, Bees skipper Matt Gedman handed the ball to Isaac Cabral (Salve Regina/Lincoln, RI), who picked up where his teammate left off and retired the side in 12 pitches.

In the bottom of the sixth, Lowell once again helped put runs on the board for New Britain. A throwing error by Spinners’ third baseman allowed catcher Brady Chernovetz (Southern CT State/Wallingford, CT) to take first. A single by shortstop Grady Schopps (Salve Regina/Fairfield, CT) moved Chernovetz to third, Civitello was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Fagnant did what he had to do, putting the ball in play and grounding out, driving in a run. New Britain led 6-0 after six.

To start the top of the seventh, Cabral swept through the Lowell order three up, three down. The bottom half of the inning led to more runs for the Bees. Kuja walked, Chernovetz smacked a double to left center, and Schopps singled to third base, scoring Kuja and advancing Chernovetz to third. Another wild pitch by the Spinners moved Schopps to second. A single by Rogers sent both Bees home, giving New Britain a 9-0 lead headed into the top of the eighth.

Sean Moleti (Salve Regina/West Hartford, CT) was called on to close out the game for the Bees, allowing no hits in the top of the eighth. New Britain ended the game in the bottom of the inning. Civitello singled for the second time and took second on a throwing error. After stealing third, he scored on yet another wild pitch, making the score 10-0 and ending the game.

After a gut-wrenching loss on Sunday to Vermont, this smooth-as-honey win is just what the doctor ordered for the Bees. They improve to 2-3 so far on this eight-game homestand. They will aim to stay in the victory column when they take on the Nashua Silver Knights on Wednesday, at 6:35 PM.