On the West Division all-star team announced Saturday, they have the fewest players of any team. In run differential, they rank seventh, with only the East and West’s last-place teams behind them.
But the Bourne Braves are in first place.
With Bourne’s 4-1 win over Falmouth and Cotuit falling to Wareham, a log-jam at the top of the West Division standings – with three teams separated by a point – was resolved with Bourne at the top. The Braves are 15-13 and leading a circuit that has had yet to have a team truly separate itself.
As noted in the power rankings this past week, it’s probably time to start believing in the Braves, despite the on-paper numbers that leave questions. They’re now 3-1 against the slugging Falmouth team that looks the part of a division leader.
Early offense and strong pitching throughout highlighted Saturday’s win. Andrew Fregia (Sam Houston State), Lyle Lin (Arizona State), Scott Schreiber (Nebraska) and Richard Palacios (Towson) each drove in a run as Bourne jumped to a 4-0 lead over the first three innings.
Falmouth managed just an unearned run and only one extra-base hit against five Bourne pitchers. Starter Eli Kraus (Kent State) struck out five in 4.2 innings. Chad Luensmann (Nebraska) pitched 2.1 scoreless innings for the win in relief. Sean Leland (Illinois) and P.J. Poulin (UConn) didn’t allow a hit in their stints and all-star closer Ryan Feltner (Ohio State) pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save.
Wareham 1, Cotuit 0
His teammate Justin Montgomery was chosen as the West’s All-Star Game starter, but Griffin Roberts (Wake Forest) – who also made the team – could make a pretty good case, too. Roberts struck out six and allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings as Wareham shut-out Cotuit. Roberts has a 1.73 ERA and has struck out 13 over his last two starts. Fitz Stadler (Arizona State) and Brett Conine (Cal State Fullerton) finished off the shutout, and Wareham broke a 0-0 deadlock with a run in the eighth on an RBI single by Tristan Pompey (Kentucky). Justin Hooper (UCLA) went five scoreless innings for Cotuit and has allowed just one earned run in his last 16 innings. The Kettleers have been held to two hits in each of their last two games.
Chatham 3, Harwich 0
A visiting team logged a shutout in Harwich, as well, with Chatham shutting down Harwich and stopping the Mariners’ three-game win streak. Jeff Belge (St. John’s) – who had an ERA over five in the spring and hadn’t gone deeper than 4.1 innings on the Cape – had his best start with six shutout innings. He struck out two and scattered four hits. Rodney Hutchison Jr. (North Carolina), who still has allowed just one run all summer, went the final three innings. All-Star starter Shea Langeliers (Baylor) went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Josh Stowers (Louisville) continued his recent hot streak with three hits and an RBI and now has eight RBI over his last five games. Mason Koppens (Northeastern) drove in two.
Orleans 4, Brewster 2
The Firebirds won their second straight and ran their league-best record to 18-10. Three runs in the bottom of the first inning set the course for Orleans, and three relievers made the lead stand up after Brewster scored two runs off starter Chandler Day (Vanderbilt). Brooks Wilson (Stetson) went three scoreless innings, Jake Wong (Grand Canyon) tossed two scoreless frames and Josh Hiatt (North Carolina) struck out two in a perfect ninth for his sixth save. Jimmy Herron (Duke) went 4-for-4 to lead the offense, and the All-Star starter in center field bumped his average to a league-high .387. Romy Gonzalez (Miami) added two RBI.
Y-D 4, Hyannis 3
Y-D joined Orleans in winning a second straight game, and with Brewster staying put, the top teams in the East are starting to pull away. The Red Sox delivered their win in dramatic fashion, walking off in the bottom of the ninth. With the score tied 3-3, Connor Kaiser (Vanderbilt) doubled and Alex McKenna (Cal Poly) singled him home for the win. Kaiser and Nicholas Quintana (Arizona) also had RBI for the Red Sox. Andrew Quezada (Cal State Fullerton) earned the win for the Red Sox with 3.1 strong innings of relief.
What to Watch
It’ll be a battle of All-Star pitchers when Y-D visits Falmouth at 5:30. Kris Bubic (Stanford) – chosen as the East’s starting pitcher – gets the ball for the Red Sox. Mitchell Miller (Clemson), who has starred as a reliever, will make his first start for Falmouth.