A few days ago, it looked like Brewster and Falmouth stood the best chance of chasing down Chatham for the sixth and final playoff spot. Now, both those teams are getting backed against the wall, with a playoff spot looking further and further away.
But Chatham isn’t home free yet.
Harwich has won three and tied one in its last five games, but the big one came last night. In a head-to-head battle, Harwich beat Chatham 1-0. A win by the Anglers there would have given them a seven-point cushion. Harwich, with three games left, wouldn’t have been able to catch them. Brewster actually would have been in a better spot.
As it stands now, though, Harwich is right there and with another Harwich-Chatham game scheduled for tonight, the Mariners have a shot to get closer.
Last night, the Mariners won on the strength of their first shutout since July 3, which also came against Chatham. This time, it was Aaron Meade (Missouri State) delivering the gem with five strikeouts and four hits allowed in 7.2 innings. Meade, with his 1.91 ERA, has been Harwich’s best starter this summer, and he certainly delivered when it counted. Brian Dupra (Notre Dame) relieved Meade and worked 1.1 scoreless innings.
The win is all the more impressive because it matched an ace against an ace, with Chatham’s Tyler Lyons (Oklahoma State) — the reigning league pitcher of the week — striking out seven in 7.1 innings of work. But Harwich touched him up for a single run in the seventh. Conner Powers (Mississippi State) singled, took second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a base hit by Stuart Tapley (Florida State). Joe Loftus (Vanderbilt) then delivered a single to plate Powers for the only offense Harwich needed.
Just like that, the Mariners are alive and well.
And making things very interesting.
Elsewhere
What to Watch For Tonight
Chatham at Harwich, 7 p.m. Jake Thompson (San Diego), who has struggled this summer, goes for the Anglers against John Gast (Florida State). Gast has a 4.15 ERA.
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