I didn’t think about this before I did the preview, but it occurred to me last night. On paper, the West series between Cotuit and Bourne may well be the most lopsided playoff match-up in Cape Cod Baseball League history. Cotuit had 30 wins in the regular season. Bourne had 17. There’s never been a bigger difference in the two years since the league switched to an eight-team format. To my knowledge, the league had never done eight teams before these last two years, and it’s hard to imagine such a big gap in the old format, when just the first and second place teams.
So it might be the biggest gap. Somebody forgot to tell the Bourne Braves.
Bourne shocked the top-seeded Kettleers 12-7 in game one of their best-of-three series last night. It was just the fifth loss in the last 27 games for the Kettleers, who finished with the best record in the league.
The Braves scored six runs in the first two innings and chased starter Adam McCreery (Arizona State) after just 1.1 innings. Cotuit came back with a vengeance, though, and put up seven runs in the second inning.
It looked like the Kettleers might be in business. Their great bullpen would take over and they’ve be on their way.
Instead, the Bourne bullpen took over.
John Farrell (William & Mary) struck out seven and gave up just three hits in 4.1 scoreless innings. Tim Giel (Columbia) followed with three shutout innings, striking out four.
Meanwhile, Bourne pulled off a rare feat — the Braves scored regularly against the Cotuit pen. Three pitchers, including Ryan Connolly (Coastal Carolina), gave up at least two runs as the Braves pulled away.
L.J. Mazzilli (UConn) had a huge day, going 4-for-6 with a home run and six RBI. Joe Jackson (The Citadel) also homered, while Jack Reinheimer (East Carolina) went 4-for-6 with two RBI.
The 12 runs are the second-most Bourne has scored all season, and they couldn’t have come at a better time. The Braves will head home today with a chance to clinch a huge playoff upset.
Elsewhere
What to Watch
As No. 4 seeds Bourne and Orleans go for upsets, they’ll both send good pitchers to the hill. Bourne’s Jeff Thompson (Louisville) has turned in two good starts in a row, including a six-inning no-hitter. Orleans’ Jarrett Arakawa (Hawaii) took a no-hitter into the fifth and finished with eight strong innings in his last start.
Phil Ervin from Harwich had a great season on the Cape. However, what is the justification for giving him the MVP.
Compare Ervin’s numbers to the following:
PHIL ERVIN: .323, 11 homers, 31 RBI, 29 runs scored, 42 hits 10 SB’s
TYLER HORAN: .342, 16 homers, 40 RBI, 32 runs scored, 52 hits, 3 SB’s
KYLE SCHWARBER: .343, 8 homers, 38 RBI, 30 runs scored, 59 hits, 4 SB’S
ROBERT PEHL: .329, 6 homers, 38 RBI, 29 runs scored, 52 hits, 3 SB’S
DREW DOSCH: .326, 8 homers, 30 RBI, 23 runs scored, 57 hits, 3 SB’S
ROBERT PEHL: .329, 6 homers, 38 RBI, 29 runs scored, 52 hits, 3 SB’S
SAM TRAVIS: .339, 4 homers, 35 RBI, 32 runs scored, 57 hits, 5 SB’S
I understand that an MVP award is more about just offensive numbers – but let’s face it, it is a large part of the consideration.
Compared to Horan & Schwarber, the numbers for Ervin really don’t compare and you could argue that all of the other players had better or at the very least comparable seasons to Ervin.
So the question is, as glaring of a difference as there is between Ervin and Horan or Schwaber – what did he do to distinguish himself from even the other players that had outstanding seasons? If they gave the award out in the middle of July when Ervin was on a record breaking stretch that would be one thing but he clearly tailed off at the end of the season.
My pick would be Horan and I don’t think it is even close. An infielder at Virginia Tech, he played out of position at left field and DH all season and despite the so-called “juiced ball”, he dealt with the pressure down the stretch to not only try and break the wood bat homer record – which he tied – but he also came through in the clutch down the stretch and led Wareham’s surge into 2nd place. Perhaps the homeruns took away from his other numbers which are just as impressive and if that is case, shame on the selection committee.
I realize he took home the John Claffey Award but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have also been give the MVP Trophy. Hyannis’ Manaea took home Best Pro Prospect & Outsanding Pitcher Awards; which he deserved. Horan deserved the same recognition.
David Aldrich would have also made this list and should have also considered some attention but he simply didn’t play enough games.
Good comment, Joe. I agree that Horan deserved the award.
p.s. Daniel Aldrich did play enough games if you add the ones he played for Orleans.