In the Cape League playoffs, you just have to get in. That fact has been proven time and again since the postseason was expanded to eight teams. And regardless of what happens in the rest of the series, it was true again Sunday.
Brewster, toting one of the worst records for a playoff team in Cape League history, beat top-seeded Yarmouth-Dennis 5-4 in game one of their first-round series.
The defending champion Whitecaps raced out of the gates with four runs in the second inning. After Y-D tied it in the fifth, the Whitecaps went back ahead in the seventh and shut-out the Red Sox the rest of the way to seal the upset win.
Cameron Eden (California) went 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead the offense. Joseph Donovan (Michigan) and Dominic Canzone (Ohio State) added two hits each. Ray Alejo (Central Florida) was the hero in the seventh with an RBI triple.
Zach Linginfelter (Tennessee) delivered a solid start, allowing one run in 4.1 innings. Reliever Zach Schneider (Florida Atlantic) gave up the run-scoring hits that tied the game in the fifth but settled down and didn’t allow another run as he pitched into the eighth. Jeff Criswell (Michigan) pitched the final 1.1 innings for the save.
Wareham 3, Cotuit 2
Top-seeded Wareham didn’t have the same problem in the West, shutting out Cotuit for eight innings before holding off a late rally. Ryan Garcia (UCLA) struck out eight and didn’t allow a hit in five innings. Easton Lucas (Pepperdine) and Joseph Baran (Lackawanna) kept the Gatemen in front, with Baran escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth. Austin Shenton (Florida International) homered to lead the attack and Oliver Dunn (Utah) had two RBI. Peyton Burdick (Wright State) homered for Cotuit.
Chatham 8, Harwich 3
Chatham led the league in home runs in the regular season and opened the playoffs with three more as it rolled over Harwich. Blake Sabol (USC), Michael Busch (North Carolina) and Kyle McCann (Georgia Tech) did the honors, with McCann driving in three runs. John Rave (Illinois State) added two hits and an RBI. Austin Bergner (North Carolina) pitched well to make the offense count, allowing two runs in six innings for the win.
What to Watch
Game twos are set for Brewster, Cotuit and Harwich. Falmouth and Hyannis – who were postponed Sunday – will play game one at McKeon Park tonight.