Cape League: All-star pitching matchup goes to Gagnon, Brewster

SOUTH YARMOUTH, Massachusetts (Thursday, July 16, 2010) – Heading to Y-D on Thursday afternoon was the thing to do among Cape League baseball fans on Thursday as Andrew Gagnon (Long Beach State) and John Leonard (Boston College) were pitted against one another in an All-Star pitching matchup at Red Wilson Field. Gagnon allowed just five hits and a run over 5.1 innings as the Brewster Whitecaps topped the Y-D Red Sox, 9-2.

With the win, the Whitecaps become the first team to 20 victories this summer and improve to 20-8. Y-D drops to 17-11.

The Whitecaps opened the scoring with two out in the first on a fielding error by Sox first baseman Jordan Ribera (Fresno State) that scored Whitecaps designated hitter Danny Oh (Cal-Berkeley). First baseman Taylor Ard (Mount Hood) was the beneficiary of the error as he reached first safely.

Ribera redeemed himself with a deep solo home run to left-center (3) in the bottom of the second inning to tie the score.

Oh put Brewster ahead in the top of the fifth on a three-run home run to center (1) to give the ‘Caps a 4-1 advantage. In the seventh, Brewster put the game away with five runs. The big blow was a three-run homer to right-center (1) by third baseman Andy Burns (Kentucky). Cohl Walla (Texas) also hit a two-out, two-run double.

Center fielder Caleb Ramsey (Houston) drove in the final run of the game for Y-D on a double to left center field in the bottom of the inning.

Gagnon improved to a Cape-best 5-0, while Leonard fell to 3-2. The BC righty and Hanover native allowed six hits and three earned runs, while walking three and fanning five.

On Saturday, Y-D hosts Chatham and Brewster travels to rival Harwich.

Cape League: Schedule change

Tonight, we will now head to Red Wilson Field where the Y-D Red Sox (17-10) host the Brewster Whitecaps (19-8) in a East Division heavyweight clash.

The Sox have won both meetings against the Whitecaps this year and will send John Leonard (Boston College) to the hill. He has a 3-1 record and 1.09 ERA in four starts, allowing just three earned runs.

Andrew Gagnon (Long Beach State) goes for Brewster with a 4-0 record and 1.69 ERA in five games.

Both pitchers seem to be headed to the All-Star Game at Fenway Park on July 28.

Cape League: No escaping the rain on first day

Three of the four Cape Cod League games were postponed due to steady rain and field conditions on Wednesday.

Our featured game of the night at Stony Brook School between Route 124 rivals Brewster and Harwich was called after a scoreless first inning. Because of the inclement weather, CCBL pitching leader and Red Sox draft pick Anthony Ranaudo was pushed back one day and will now start on Thursday night when the Whitecaps host Falmouth at 5 p.m.

Wareham and Cotuit were called off from Lowell Park, while the Bourne/Hyannis contest was postponed at McKeon Park.

After a half-hour delay, Falmouth and Chatham were able to get underway at Arnie Allen Diamond (LIVE). Falmouth scored two runs in the sixth inning to take a 2-1 lead over the Anglers. 

Tomorrow, we will travel to Veterans Field where Chatham will host Y-D in an Eastern Division battle at 7 p.m. Logan Verrett (Baylor/1-0) will start for Chatham, while Michael Goodnight (Houston/1-1) toes the rubber for Y-D. Stay tuned for more from the Cape!

KCT Baseball Game Preview: Cape Cod Baseball League

This is the big one! Today, we embark on our fifth annual Cape Cod Baseball League visit. We hope to stop at four games this week and report back to you on the best of the best in college baseball from all over the country.

If the weather cooperates, we will be at the Stony Brook Elementary School in Brewster where the East-leading Whitecaps host their Route 124 rivals Harwich Mariners. Brewster is 18-8 and in first place in the East, while Harwich is 13-13 and in third. Both teams have won seven of their last ten games. Red Sox draft pick Anthony Ranaudo (LSU) is set to take the ball for the Whitecaps at 2-0, while Harwich’s starter TBA.

On Thursday night, the Y-D Red Sox travel to Veterans Field to take on the Chatham Anglers in another East Division showdown. The Red Sox sit in second at 16-10, while Chatham is 12-12-1 and in fourth. Michael Goodnight (Houston) is scheduled to toe the rubber for Y-D, while Logan Verrett (Baylor) brings in a perfect 1-0 mark for Chatham.

Harwich travels to Cotuit for a Friday matchup against the Kettleers at picturesque Lowell Park. Cotuit stands at 11-12-2 in the West, which is third place. Pierce Johnson (Missouri State) is the probable starter for the Mariners at 2-0, while Brady Rogers (Arizona State) is 1-0 for the Kettleers.

Our final game will be at Eldredge Park in Orleans on Saturday night when the Firebirds host the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Both teams are looking for a mid-season push in their respective divisions as they sit at 11-15. The Firebirds are in last in the East and the Hawks are fourth in the West. Martin Viramontes (Loyola Marymount) is the scheduled starter for Orleans, while Hyannis has not yet announced theirs.

Get a quick lodown of everything Cape League with this audio podcast.

Sox Notes: Ranaudo throws six no-hit innings on Cape

Red Sox first round supplemental draft pick Anthony Ranaudo (LSU) threw six no-hit innings for Brewster in the Cape Cod League this evening. He waked four and struck out six against Harwich and exited after throwing 96 pitches (54 strikes).

Through 23.2 innings over four starts for the Whitecaps this summer, he has allowed just 7 hits, 1 run (none earned), 7 walks, and 22 strikeouts.

A Louisana news report said that he would meet with Scott Boras and also said that it could be his last Cape League appearance.

The deadline to sign draft picks is August 16.