Already in first place, the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox are getting even better.
Tuesday’s 5-2 win over Orleans was the fifth in a row for the Red Sox, their longest winning streak of the season. They’re now 19-8-4 on the summer.
The offense, which leads the league in team batting average and slugging percentage, was up to its usual tricks. Five of Y-D’s seven hits went for extra bases. The Red Sox scored three runs in the first and two in the third for all the offense they would need.
Nicholas Quintana (Arizona) and two RBI, while Patrick Bailey (NC State) and Christian Koss (UC Irvine) drove in one run each.
The pitching – not Y-D’s biggest strength for most of the summer – continued to shine in the streak. The first win in the run was a slugfest but since then, Y-D pitchers haven’t needed as much support.
Brant Hurter (Georgia Tech) got the win Tuesday, striking out five and allowing one run in five innings of work. Ty Madrigal (St. Mary’s) surrendered one run in three innings of relief and Ryne Nelson (Oregon) struck out three of the five batters he faced in the ninth for his fourth save.
The win streak has put Y-D 10 points ahead of second-place Chatham in the East standings.
Hyannis 8, Bourne 4
The Harbor Hawks improved to 4-0 against the Braves this season. Davis Wendzel (Baylor) had a big night atop the lineup, going 4-for-5 with a double, a triple, four runs scored and two RBI. Will Holland (Auburn) had three hits and two RBI, while Matthew Barefoot (Campbell) had two hits and two RBI. Starter Nicholas MacDonald (Florida International) gave up three runs in two innings, but Riley Self (Mississippi State) shined in relief, striking out five and giving up only one hit in four innings. His Mississippi State teammate Keegan James followed with a three-inning save.
Harwich 11, Cotuit 3
Harwich smacked 14 hits and blew past Cotuit to snap a three-game losing streak. Andre Lipcius (Tennessee) led the onslaught, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI. Danny Casals (Maine) and Matt Gorski (Indiana) also drove in three runs apiece. Will Matthiessen (Stanford) tossed five shutout innings for the win, his first of the summer in four starts.
Brewster 8, Chatham 6
Chatham welcomed back star slugger Spencer Torkelson (Arizona State) from Team USA, but Brewster had more offense on his first night back. Ray Alejo (Central Florida) and Brandon Martorano (North Carolina) both hit their first home runs and drove in two for the Whitecaps. Christian Molfetta (Stanford), Jesse Franklin (Michigan) and Gage Workman (Arizona State) drove in one run each. Reid Detmers (Louisville) allowed one run in four innings, Conor Grammes (Xavier) earned the win in relief and Carson Coleman (Kentucky) picked up the save. John Rave (Illinois State) homered for Chatham, while Torkelson went 1-for-3 in his return.
What to Watch
Wareham will be on the road for a split doubleheader at Hyannis and Brewster. Meanwhile, Whitehouse Field will host what could be one of the best pitching matchups of the summer. Cotuit’s John Baker (Ball State) goes against Harwich’s Tyler Baum (North Carolina).