The way the season has gone, it was pretty fitting that it couldn’t end last night.
Bourne and Falmouth both won last night, which means they finished in a tie for second place in the Western Division. They’ll meet tonight in a play-in game at 7 p.m. in Falmouth.
That sounds about right in a season full of parity. Nobody’s been able to get separation, especially in the West. It’ll take an extra day to get the last bit of it.
Falmouth will get its shot thanks to a four-run ninth inning in Hyannis last night. The game was tied at 1-1 before the Commodores loaded the bases against Hyannis closer Russell Brewer (Vanderbilt). Joey Wong (Oregon State) then fought through a long at-bat and drew walk to force in the go-ahead run. After another run scored, A.J. Pollock (Notre Dame) blew it open with a two-run double.
Over in Wareham, Bourne held serve. The Braves, who came into the game winners of four straight, didn’t waste any time grabbing a lead. A double by Kyle Roller (East Carolina) in the bottom of the first plated Jordan Henry (Ole Miss) for the 1-0 lead. Bourne made it 2-0 in the third on a bases-loaded walk to Jamie Johnson (Oklahoma).
It wasn’t a big cushion, but Ricky Bowen (Mississippi State) made it stand up. Bowen, who’s had some good starts and bad starts, turned in a good one when it counted. He allowed one run on three hits in seven innings and struck out nine. He turned it over to the bullpen in the eighth, and David Erickson (UConn) and Eric Pettis (UC Irvine) each worked scoreless frames to seal the victory.
So now we get one do-or-die game. Bourne comes in a lot hotter than Falmouth, having now won five straight. Falmouth had hit the skids a little bit before bouncing back yesterday. Falmouth lists Nate Karns as its probable starter. Nothing yet from Bourne.
Elsewhere
- Cotuit clinched the Western Division in the morning with a 3-1 victory over Hyannis then decided to keep on rolling anyway. In a game that didn’t matter at all in the standings, the Kettleers beat Y-D 6-3 in the nightcap of their doubleheader. Cotuit used their regulars in the lineup and found plenty of offense. Five different pitchers saw action.
- With their playoff berths secured, Harwich and Orleans didn’t have to worry about much last night, but they weren’t coasting. The Mariners used an 18-hit attack to pound Brewster 12-3. Brandon Belt (Texas) had five RBI to lead the way. Over in Orleans, the Cardinals finished strong with a 9-4 victory over Chatham. Angelo Songco (Loyola Marymount), Kyle Spraker (Kent State) and Mike Murphy (Maryland) all hit home runs to power Orleans.
- In the first game of Chatham’s doubleheader, Wareham got the A’s off to a bad start, winning 5-4. Jake Lemmerman (Duke) went 3-for-4 and Raynor Campbell (Baylor) hit a home run to lead the Gatemen. Robby Broach (Tulane) struck out 10 in 5.1 innings and Zach Brewster (Georgia Tech) worked 3.2 scoreless innings of relief.
What to Watch For Tonight
- Bourne at Falmouth, 7 p.m. Everything on the line.
RELATED POSTS
As pitching combinations go, you could do worse than a pair of Mississippi State Bulldogs. The College World Series champs know a little something about winning. Falmouth trotted...
Cotuit’s current roster was hit harder than most by the draft, with 11 players departing after hearing their nakes called. No surprise that the Kettleers hit a rough patch soon after the proceedings....