For most of the summer, Hyannis has looked to me like the best team in the league, but if there was a question mark, it was about the pitching. The offense has always had a leg up, while the Hyannis pitchers have been finding a way.
Clemson’s Scott Firth, though, has found his way more often than not.
Firth and Hyannis hosted Harwich last night in a match-up of two of the top teams in the league, and Firth dominated, allowing just two hits in 6.1 shutout innings. Firth now has an ERA of 0.82, which is tops in the league.
And last night, Firth had plenty of help. Joey DeMichele (Arizona State) and Austin Elkins (Dallas Baptist) each hit home runs in the sixth, with Elkins blasting a three-run shot on his way to a five-RBI night.
Hyannis is now 21-12 and leading the West by two points.
Elsewhere
Bourne kept pace with Hyannis thanks to a 7-1 victory over Brewster. Ryne Stanek (Arkansas) pitched six strong innings, as Bourne pitchers allowed just three hits. Kyle Farmer (Georgia Tech) and Garrett Cannizaro (Tulane) knocked in early runs for the Braves. Brewster is still three points ahead of Harwich. Since playing to a tie on Saturday, the Mariners and Whitecaps have had the same results every time out.
Y-D continues to get major personnel boosts, as Mark Appel (Stanford) — potentially the top pitching prospect in his class — started on the mound last night. But it didn’t matter. Orleans’ Tyler Johnson (Stony Brook) matched Appel with six shutout innings, and the Firebirds scored two runs in the eighth. Mike Duffy (Long Beach State) and Ben Waldrip (Jacksonville) brought home the runs, and Orleans reliever Kurt Heyer (Arizona) picked up the win. Trevor Gott (Kentucky) notched the save.
Falmouth blew past Cotuit 11-1, keeping the Kettleers at bay in the race for the fourth playoff spot in the West. Cotuit came in just two points back of the Commodores and scored a run in the bottom of the first. Then Falmouth broke out, getting a run in the second and third innings before putting up three in the fourth. The Commodores finished with 19 hits. Jake Rodriguez (Oklahoma State) had a huge day, going 5-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Jeremy Baltz (St. John’s) went 3-for-6 with three RBI and Eric Garcia (Missouri) also had three hits with two RBI. Andrew Heaney (Oklahoma State) went seven innings to pick up the win for Falmouth.
Chatham’s three-game win streak came to an end in Wareham, as the Gatemen posted a 4-3 victory. Tim Cooney (Wake Forest) started for Chatham and pitched well, striking out nine in six innings. But Wareham got to him late, scoring two in the sixth to take the lead. Johnny Field (Arizona) brought in a run with a sac fly and William Carmona (Stony Brook) knocked in the go-ahead run. Konner Wade (Arizona) got out of trouble in the ninth to pick up the save.
What to Watch
Game: Chatham hosts Cotuit at 7 p.m. as both teams try to make a run at the playoffs. Ms. Right Field Fog and I expect to be on hand. Look for us in our Right Field Fog shirts!
Player: Cotuit’s Victor Roache (Georgia Southern) continues to lead the league in hitting and RBI. He’s at .376 with 25 RBI.
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