Cape League: July 14 Roundup

FALMOUTH, Massachusetts (Wednesday, July 14, 2010) – Third baseman Mark Ginther (Oklahoma State) drove in two runs for Chatham, but it was not enough as the Anglers fell to the Falmouth Commodores, 3-2, at Arnie Allen Diamond on Wednesday. Due to the inclement weather earlier in the night, the game was delayed almost 40 minutes.

The Commodores improve to 12-14 with the win, while the Anglers fall below .500 to 12-13-1.

The Anglers took a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout by Ginther in the sixth, but the Commodores scored two in the sixth and one in the eighth for the win.

Shortstop K.C. Serna drove home the first Falmouth run on a single to right, while he scored on a sacrifice by second baseman Kevin Medrano (Missouri State). Ginther was at the plate when the second run in the form of center fielder Beau Amaral (UCLA) in the eighth to tie the score.

A single by left fielder Nick Martini (Kansas State) in the eighth gave Falmouth a 3-2 lead, which would turn out to be the final count.

Kaleb Merck (TCU) got his first win of the season in relief as he pitched 1.2 innings, allowing just a hit and fanning four. Kevin Berry (New Orleans) took the defeat and fell to 1-4 as he allowed two hits and the winning run, despite fanning three.  

Both starters fared pretty well over six innings. Christian Jones (Oregon) allowed two hits, a run and four walks, while fanning seven for Falmouth. Chris Munnelly (North Carolina) allowed just three hits and two runs, while walking two and fanning four for Chatham.

All other games were postponed around the Cape: Harwich at Brewster, Bourne at Hyannis, and Wareham at Cotuit.

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!

Cape League: Hawks make 2010 Vineyard Cup one to remember

The Falmouth Commodores enjoy the ferry on their way to Martha's Vineyard. (Falmouth Commodores photo)

OAKS BLUFF, Massachusetts (Thursday, July 8, 2010) – A ferry. Not the normal mode of transportation in the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Once a year, the Falmouth Commodores play a “home” game at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on Oak Bluffs. In 2010, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks were the Commodores’ lucky opposition in the Vineyard Cup.

For the Harbor Hawks, the game will not be remembered just for the ferry ride and picturesque sighgtlines, but for their dramatic 5-3 win over the Commodores.

The Harbor Hawks looked like they had something cooking in the top of the second as Dane Phillips (Oklahoma State) worked a walk and Matt Williams (Liberty) hit a double to center field, but Commodores starter Miguel Pena (San Jacinto) got the final two outs to end the threat.

Kyle Bluestein (Jacksonville State) gave the Commodores a 2-0 lead with two outs in the bottom of the second inning on a mammoth two-run home run to deep left field (2) against Hyannis starter Justin Wright (Virginia Tech).

Falmouth doubled their lead with two out in the third inning on an Andrew Susac two-run single just inside the left field line to score Kyle VanTungeln (TCU) and Barrett Barnes (UC-Irvine).

Hyannis cut the deficit to 4-3 on a deep home run to right-center field (1) by Cam Seitzer (Oklahoma) with two outs in the fifth inning.

After Pena departed, reliever Doug Simmons walked Seitzer to load the bases in the top of the seventh, but he struck out Casey McElroy (Auburn) to end the inning.

In the top of the ninth, four straight Hyannis batters reached base with two outs and then Jason Nappi (Harding) hit the two-run RBI double to win the game.

It was a great day to watch baseball on a beautiful island. Getting off of the mainland was a special treat as well. “We gave them some good baseball,” Hyannis field manager Chad Gassman said. “It was fun that we could treat the island, treat Martha’s Vineyard to a good game.”