Pell Bridge Series Begins With Ocean State Victory

The Pell Bridge Series between Rhode Island’s Newport Gulls and Ocean State Waves is one of the best rivalries that the NECBL has to offer. The two squads faced off for the first time in 2026 in South Kingston, with both teams coming off wins. In a high scoring affair, the Waves came away victorious with a 16-12 victory. 

The Gulls jumped out to an early 1-0 lead off a single from Cade Brown (Georgia Tech) in the top of the first, but the Waves responded in the blink of an eye. A four-run frame in the home half put Ocean State in the driver's seat, and their lead continued to grow. After holding Newport scoreless, the Waves produced another four-run inning in the second, opening the score to 8-1. Command issues on the mound and defensive miscues proved costly, as the Gulls struggled to slow down an aggressive Ocean State lineup.

Gus Gandy (Sanford) homered for the Gulls’ second run of the game in the top of third as both teams added on two more runs. Gandy continued his impressive day in the fourth with a two RBI single making it 10-5. The Ocean State offense continued to roll with five runs in the bottom of the fifth, expanding their lead to ten.

Entering the ninth Newport trailed 16-6, but a late offensive push by the Gulls brought things closer. Gandy picked up his fourth and fifth RBI on the day, and Tristan Salinas (Rutgers) and Cade Brown bashed back-to-back long balls. In the end, the rally was too little too late, and the Gulls fell by a final score of 16-12. 

The loss moves Newport to 4-7-1 with the Gulls back at home on Friday against the Danbury Westerners. First pitch is set for 6:35 with streaming available on NECBL+.