Bourne had some serious talent last year, but didn’t pitch all that well and tied Hyannis for the worst record in the league. When the chips were down, though, the Braves knocked off West No. 1 seed Cotuit in the first round of the playoffs and were close to beating eventual champ Wareham for a spot in the finals.

It was a fitting surge for a team that had a lot of fun last season. The Braves were a gritty bunch and it was on display when – down to eight position players and using a pitcher as the designated hitter – they somehow rallied past Cotuit in game three of their West semifinal series. Whether it was the magic of Mason Robbins or the steady high-level play of Colin Moran, the Braves authored a memorable season despite their apparent struggles.

Regardless of results, that kind of season is a good thing to hope for, and Bourne will be angling for another one just like it in 2013. The Braves lack a star like Moran, but Robbins is expected to be back. The Braves have quite a few veteran bats lined up in addition to Robbins like Jordan Hankins, Ty Young and Clinton Freeman. With talented arms like Austin Gomber and Ryan Kellogg, the starting rotation should be better.

However it shakes out, expect the Braves to have some fun. It’s what they do.

 

THE SKINNY

Manager: Harvey Shapiro
Last Year: 24-19-1; Won CCBL Championship
Returning Players: 4
Juniors: 9
Sophomores: 24
Freshmen: 7

 

NOTABLE

Bourne currently has 40 players on the roster, so you will not see all of these guys on the Cape this summer.

Before Florida Gulf Coast made headlines with its NCAA tournament run this past basketball season, Chris Sale was its athletic claim to fame. The Major League and former Cape Leaguer helped put a fledgling program on the map. The latest Eagle making the trek is Jack English, who comes to Bourne as a standout reliever.

Bourne hit paydirt with Florida Atlantic’s R.J. Alvarez, who was a dominant bullpen presence in 2010 and 2011. This year, the Braves will welcome an FAU starter and a good one in Austin Gomber. He has 84 strikeouts in 80 innings this year.

Arizona State freshman Ryan Kellogg has been dynamite, probably one of the best freshman starters in the country. Though he doesn’t have high strikeout numbers – just 47 in 83 innings – he has only walked 14 and opponents are hitting .233 against him. That explains the 3.36 ERA and the spotless 10-0 record.

Nigel Nootbaar’s great grandfather, Herbert, is a USC benefactor and he funded the USC baseball offices. His grandson is making him proud for the Trojans. Nigel was the third-ranked prospect in the Alaska League last summer.

Temple’s Patrick Peterson has a twin brother Eric who also plays for the Owls. Patrick is on the Bourne roster, while Eric is not on a Cape roster. I guess if the Braves need an extra pitcher, they know who to ask.

Proof of what Georgia Tech freshman Matt Gonzalez can do: he’s the only freshman in the starting lineup for a Georgia Tech team that’s full of veteran power bats.

With a new draft signing deadline going into effect last year, juniors were few and far between on the Cape last summer. The days of a junior getting drafted then increasing his stock by playing on the Cape may be over. It’s looking like the same story this year, but Bourne is taking its chances with a few guys, most notably Jordan Hankins, Clint Freeman and Ty Young, who all have a shot to get drafted somewhere. If that trio does make it to Bourne, it could be a coup for the Braves. They’re dynamic hitters.

Mason Robbins was one of the Cape’s best players a season ago, and his propensity for clutch plays had the Bourne crew making lots of Batman & Robin references. The bat signal is shining again this year, as Robbins is slated to return to Bourne.

 

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Mason Robbins
2. Jordan Hankins
3. Ryan Kellogg
4. Austin Gomber
5. Ty Young

 

PITCHERS

*Hawtin Buchanan – RHP – 6’8 245 – Ole Miss – Sophomore
Will Cox – RHP – 6’4 230 – Mississippi State – Sophomore
Jack English – RHP – 5’10 195 – Florida Gulf Coast – Sophomore
Kris Gardner – LHP – 6’5 200 – Wichita State – Junior
Austin Gomber – LHP – 6’5 215 – Florida Atlantic – Sophomore
Ryan Harris – RHP – 6’2 200 – Florida – Sophomore
Joshua Harris – LHP – 6’4 226 – Villanova – Sophomore
Ryan Kellogg – LHP – 6’5 215 – Arizona State – Freshman
Kody Kerski – RHP – 5’10 175 – Sacred Heart – Junior
Anthony Kidston – RHP/1B – 6’2 190 – Louisville – Freshman
Kyle Kubat – LHP – 6’1 170 – Nebraska – Sophomore
Josh Laxer – RHP – 6’2 210 – Ole Miss – Sophomore
Jacob Lindgren – LHP – 5’11 206 – Mississippi State – Sophomore
Cody Livingston – LHP – 6’3 205 – Southern Miss – Sophomore
Justin McCalvin – RHP – 6’0 159 – Kennesaw State – RS Sophomore
Nigel Nootbaar – RHP – 6’1 175 – USC – Freshman
Nick Palewicz – RHP – 6’1 191 – Washington – Junior
Patrick Peterson – LHP – 6’3 190 – Temple – Freshman
Eric Skoglund – LHP – 6’7 180 – Central Florida – Sophomore
David Speer – LHP – 6’1 185 – Columbia – Junior
Tanner Wilt – RHP – 6’1 195 – Pittsburgh – Sophomore
* – returning player

 
Hawtin Buchanan – RHP – 6’8 245
Ole Miss
Sophomore

Buchanan’s size turns heads and so does his potential, which he flashed throughout last spring and summer. After putting up a 3.98 ERA as a reliever in Oxford, he came to Bourne and posted a 3.78 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 16.2 innings. This year, Buchanan hasn’t had a chance to start living up to the potential – he’s made only six appearances while battling an injury.

Will Cox – RHP – 6’4 230
Mississippi State
Sophomore

Cox has had two solid seasons pitching in various roles for Mississippi State. He had a 4.64 ERA as a mid-week starter last year. This year, he’s been a valuable bullpen arm, with a 3.27 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 22 innings.

Jack English – RHP – 5’10 195
Florida Gulf Coast
Sophomore

English struggled to an ERA over five last season but has became a top reliever for the Eagles this season. He has a 2.60 ERA, second-best on the team, and he has struck out 31 in 27.2 innings. Batters are hitting just .178 against him.

Kris Gardner – LHP – 6’5 200
Wichita State
RS Sophomore

After redshirting in 2011, Gardner had a solid debut with the Shockers last year, turning in a 2.66 ERA and a 5-2 record. He was named by Baseball America as the seventh-best prospect in the Prospect League last summer but hasn’t had the best sophomore season. Gardner is 2-6 with a 4.10 ERA.

Austin Gomber – LHP – 6’5 215
Florida Atlantic
Sophomore

Gomber has a solid debut season for FAU in 2012, ranking second on the team in strikeouts while putting up a 3.82 ERA. He’s emerged as an ace this year and is 5-4 with 3.04 ERA and a team-best 84 strikeouts in 80 innings. He ranks among the top 50 nationally in strikeouts.

Ryan Harris – RHP – 6’2 200
Florida
Sophomore

A 37th-round pick out of high school, Harris pitched well in spot relief duty last year and has kept it up while staying much busier this season. Harris leads the Gators in appearances with 32 and has struck out 45 in 51 innings of work.

Joshua Harris – LHP – 6’4 226
Villanova
Sophomore

The other Harris on the Braves roster, Joshua had an ERA over five as a freshman but has been solid while moving into the starting rotation this year. He has a 4.04 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 78 innings.

Ryan Kellogg – LHP – 6’5 215
Arizona State
Freshman

A native of Ontario, Kellogg was a 12th-round pick out of high school by the Blue Jays last year, but opted not to sign with his hometown team and headed for sunny Arizona instead. He’s made himself right at home. Kellogg is 10-0 as a weekend starter for the Sun Devils, with a 3.36 ERA.

Kody Kerski – RHP – 5’10 175
Sacred Heart
Junior

Kerski had an ERA over four in each of his first two years with Sacred Heart but was also the winning pitcher in the Northeast Conference championship game in both seasons. He’s been much steadier this year, with a 2.55 ERA.

Anthony Kidston – RHP/1B – 6’2 190
Louisville
Freshman

A high-school star in Ohio, Kidston hasn’t gotten much of a chance to hit in his first year with the Cardinals but has been a valuable swing pitcher. In 13 appearances – six starts – he’s 5-0 with a 1.31 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 48 innings.

Kyle Kubat – LHP – 6’1 170
Nebraska
Sophomore

Kubat made a name for himself in a swing role last year, compiling a 2.63 ERA on his way to Freshman All-American honors. He missed the early part of this season but has been outstanding since jumping into the weekend rotation. In five starts, he’s 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA.

Josh Laxer – RHP – 6’2 210
Ole Miss
Sophomore

A 20th-round pick out of high school in 2011, Laxer struggled in his first year with the Rebels. He’s rebounded this year to post a 3.21 ERA and a 2-0 record in 10 appearances.

Jacob Lindgren – LHP – 5’11 206
Mississippi State
Sophomore

Lindgren was a 12th-round pick of the Cubs in the 2011 draft. After a solid first season with the Bulldogs, he’s pitched fairly well as a weekend starter this year. In 13 games, he’s 4-2 with a 3.91 ERA.

Cody Livingston – LHP – 6’3 205
Southern Miss
Sophomore

Livingston had a solid debut as a reliever in 2012 and has posted nearly identical numbers this year. In 15 appearances, all in relief, Livingston has a 4.42 ERA.

Justin McCalvin – RHP – 6’0 159
Kennesaw State
RS Sophomore

McCalvin had a 3.51 ERA in his first season of action with Kennesaw State last year. After dominating to the tune of a 0.38 ERA in the Great Lakes League last summer, McCalvin has been terrific out of the bullpen again this spring. He has a 2.22 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 28.1 innings.

Nigel Nootbaar – RHP – 6’1 175
USC
Freshman

Nootbaar had a 3.13 ERA while pitching as a reliever in his freshman year. His ERA is a little higher this year at 4.03 but he’s also struck out 34 in 38 innings. Nootbaar was the third-best prospect in the Alaska Baseball League last summer, according to Baseball America.

Nick Palewicz – RHP – 6’1 191
Washington
Junior

Injury derailed the early part of Palewicz’s career. He’s been back in action the last two years but has struggled, posting an ERA over five in both seasons.

Patrick Peterson – LHP – 6’3 190
Temple
Freshman

Peterson was a standout weekend starter for the Owls last year, posting a 3.51 ERA with 65 strikeouts. Last summer, he was tabbed by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the Atlantic Collegiate League. He’s had a bit of sophomore slump this year, with a 4.62 ERA and a 2-6 record.

Eric Skoglund – LHP – 6’7 180
Central Florida
Sophomore

Skoglund had a solid first season at Central Florida then pitched briefly for Harwich last summer. He has struggled in his second college season, going 1-3 with a 4.81 ERA. He has walked more batters then he has struck out. Skoglund was an 18th-round pick out of high school, so he’ll be looking to recapture his form this summer.

David Speer – LHP – 6’1 185
Columbia
Junior

After two so-so years, Speer has emerged as Columbia’s top starter this season. He’s 6-2 with a team-best 2.17 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 66.1 innings.

Tanner Wilt – RHP – 6’1 195
Pittsburgh
Sophomore

Wilt picked up six saves as a freshman last year. He has been limited to 3.1 innings of work this year.

 

POSITION PLAYERS

Bobby Boyd – OF – 5’9 160 – West Virginia – Sophomore
Tim Caputo – INF – 5’8 142 – Rhode Island – Sophomore
Joey Cujas – INF – 6’0 180 – VCU – Junior
Bill Cullen – OF – 5’9 165 – VCU – Junior
*Connor David – C – 6’1 205 – Connecticut – Sophomore
Eric Fisher – INF – 6’3 210 – Arkansas – RS Sophomore
Clinton Freeman – OF/LHP – 6’2 195 – East Tennessee – Junior
*Trent Gilbert – INF – 6’2 – 185 – Arizona – Sophomore
Matt Gonzalez – SS – 6’0 185 – Georgia Tech – Freshman
Richard Gonzalez – C – 5’10 – Alabama State – Sophomore
Jordan Hankins – INF – 5’10 191 – Austin Peay – Junior
Pat Kelly – 2B – 5’11 170 – Nebraska – Sophomore
Mark Laird – OF – 6’1 172 – LSU – Freshman
Michael Martin – OF/INF – 6’0 160 – Harvard – Sophomore
Max Pentecost – C/1B – 6’1 190 – Kennesaw State – Sophomore
*Mason Robbins – OF – 6’0 205 – Southern Miss – Sophomore
Vinny Siena – INF – 6’7 185 – Connecticut – Freshman
Joshua Tobias – INF – 5’9 205 – Florida – Sophomore
Tyler Young – INF – 5’10 173 – Louisville – Junior
* – returning player

 
Bobby Boyd – OF – 5’9 160
West Virginia
Sophomore

Boyd starred as a freshman in Morgantown, leading the team in hitting and stolen bases. He has kept it up this season, batting .316 with 15 steals.

Tim Caputo – INF – 5’8 142
Rhode Island
Sophomore

Caputo earned A-10 All-Rookie honors last year after .303 for the Rams. He’s been steady this year, too, with a .288 average and a .377 OBP.

Joey Cujas – INF – 6’0 180
VCU
Junior

Cujas has been consistently good in three years with VCU and could be a great veteran presence for the Braves. After hitting .390 last year, he’s at .333 this year with a homer and a team-best 37 RBI.

Bill Cullen – OF – 5’9 165
VCU
Junior

Like Cujas, Cullen has also had a strong career for the Rams. He hit .347 with five homers last year. This season, he’s batting .276 with three long balls.

Connor David – C – 6’1 205
Connecticut
Sophomore

David played well in a bench role as a freshman and spent most of last summer in the NECBL. When Bourne needed some help, he signed late in the year and hit .300 in five playoff games for the Braves. Back in Storrs, he has hit .224 this season.

Eric Fisher – INF – 6’3 210
Arkansas
RS Sophomore

After redshirting in 2012, Fisher has struggled in his first season back. He’s hitting .211 with two homers. Fisher did have a solid summer in the California Collegiate League last year.

Clinton Freeman – OF/LHP – 6’2 195
East Tennessee
Junior

Freeman was one of the best players in the Atlantic Sun conference a year ago and is delivering a repeat performance this year. He’s hitting .351 with 10 homers and 54 RBI. He leads the league in slugging percentage and ranks second in home runs and RBI. Last summer, Freeman won the Alaska League batting title. And for good measure, he pitches as a closer for the Bucs. He has eight saves this year.

Trent Gilbert – INF – 6’2 – 185
Arizona
Sophomore

Gilbert was the starter at second base as the Wildcats won the College World Series last year. He finished with a .272 average. After struggling to a .156 average with Bourne, he’s back in business this year, hitting .333 with a team-best 45 RBI. Gilbert was a 40th-round pick out of high school.

Matt Gonzalez – SS – 6’0 185
Georgia Tech
Freshman

An 11th-round pick last year, Gonzalez has forced his way into the lineup for a veteran Georgia Tech team this year and has more than held his own. Gonzalez is hitting .302 with three homers and 32 RBI.

Richard Gonzalez – C – 5’10
Alabama State
Sophomore

A native of Puerto Rico, Gonzalez has been the top hitter this year for the Hornets, who play in the SWAC. Gonzalez is batting .360 with a homer and 32 RBI.

Jordan Hankins – INF/C – 5’10 191
Austin Peay
Junior

Hankins hit .337 with 10 homers and 66 RBI on his way to several All-American nods and a spot on Team USA last summer. It’s been more of the same this spring, with Hankins hitting .342 and blasting nine home runs.

Pat Kelly – 2B – 5’11 170
Nebraska
Sophomore

Kelly hit .313 with eight home runs last year and was a consensus Freshman All-American. He’s hitting .315 this year, though his power has deserted him. He doesn’t have a home run thus far.

Mark Laird – OF – 6’1 172
LSU
Freshman

Laird was a stand-out pitcher, hitter and football player in high school. He’s focused on hitting with the Tigers and has held his own in his first season. He’s batting .286.

Michael Martin – OF/INF – 6’0 160
Harvard
Sophomore

Martin has been a solid contributor in his two years with the Crimson. This year he’s hitting .287 with a .388 on-base percentage.

Max Pentecost – C/1B – 6’1 190
Kennesaw State
Sophomore

Pentecost was a seventh-round pick in 2011. After a solid freshman season, he played well in his first summer trip to New England last year, hitting .303 for Holyoke in the NECBL. This spring, he is hitting .303 again with a homer and 20 RBI.

Mason Robbins – OF – 6’0 205
Southern Miss
Sophomore

Robbins starred on the Cape last summer, hitting .316 with seven home runs. He was Baseball America’s 15th-best prospect in the league, which put him as the second freshmen on the list. This spring, Robbins is hitting .326 with two homers and a team-best 36 RBI.

Vinny Siena – INF – 6’7 185
Connecticut
Freshman

A Connecticut native, Siena stayed home to play for the Huskies and has had a strong freshman season. He ranks second on the team in hitting with a .291 average.

Joshua Tobias – INF – 5’9 205
Florida
Sophomore

An SEC All-Freshman pick in 2012, Tobias played 18 games for Yarmouth-Dennis last summer and hit .250. He is hitting .231 this spring. Tobias was a 31st-round pick out of high school.

Ty Young – INF – 5’10 173
Louisville
Junior

After a strong season in the Northwoods League last year, Young has been the top hitter for the 10th-ranked Cardinals. Young is batting .374 with four homers and a team-best 52 RBI.