Streaking Sweep

Brady Conlan catches a high throw at first during game one of Sunday's doubleheader. — Brady Conlan catches a high throw at first during game one of Sunday’s doubleheader.

Hyannis had the most impressive doubleheader Sunday in the league, beating Brewster by 8-0 and 9-2 scores to run its league-best record to 6-1. But in terms of necessity, the bigger Sunday sweep belonged to the defending champion Y-D Red Sox.

After an 0-4 start, fresh off their first win, the Red Sox rolled past Cotuit 4-1 and 4-0 to get to 3-4 and leave their shaky first few games firmly in the past. Y-D used a four-run fifth inning to turn things around in Sunday’s first game. In the nightcap, a four-run third inning and a combined shutout from three hurlers sealed the victory.

The Red Sox had stumbled out of the gates, scoring only six runs and giving up 28 in their first four games.

Y-D broke out Saturday with 12 hits and a strong showing on the mound in a 5-0 win over Bourne, and it was more of the same Sunday.

Jacob DeVries (Air Force) pitched into the final frame of the first seven-inning affair, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run. After Will Haynie (Alabama) touched DeVries up for a one-out double, Brett Adcock (Michigan) relieved him, got an out, then made things interesting with two walks to load the bases. But with the go-ahead run at the plate, Adcock induced a pop-up to end the game.

Nick Ruppert (Dartmouth) had two RBI in the big fifth inning, while Cole Billingsley (South Alabama) and Nathan Rodriguez (Arkansas) knocked in one run each. The Red Sox had four hits – their only four hits of the game – in that inning, and also took advantage of two Cotuit errors.

In game two, Y-D pitching was even a little better as a trio combined for the team’s second shutout in three games. Christian Morris (Indiana) gave up three hits in five innings, before Dalton Lehnen (Cincinnati) and Gabriel Cramer (Stanford) finished the job with a scoreless inning each.

Billingsley, Donovan Walton (Oklahoma State) and Stephen Wrenn (Georgia) had two hits apiece to lead the offense.

Hyannis 8, Brewster 0; Hyannis 9, Brewster 2

The aforementioned Harbor Hawks were indeed impressive in their sweep of Brewster, who had come in at 3-1. Dakota Hudson (Mississippi State), who’s been mostly a reliever in two seasons in Starkville, made the start in game one and struck out seven while giving up only two hits in six shutout innings. Marc Skinner (Troy) pitched the seventh to finish out the victory. Bobby Melley (Connecticut) continued his hot start with three hits and three RBI, pacing a nine-hit attack. Hyannis led 3-0 after one, then scored five in the final inning. In the second game, four pitchers chipped in on a solid effort, with Nick Deeg (Central Michigan) picking up the win on one perfect inning. Jacob Noll (Florida Gulf Coast) led the offense this time, going 2-for-4 and driving in four of the nine runs. After going hitless for the first time all season in the doubleheader opener, Justin Arrington (Baylor) went 2-for-3. Hyannis, at 6-1, is not only in first place in the West, but also has the only winning record in the division.

Orleans 6, Wareham 2; Orleans 1, Wareham 0

It was also a sweep at Eldredge Park, where the Firebirds mashed three home runs in the opener then eked out a pitchers duel in the second game. Kyle Lewis (Mercer) hit his third home run of the young season to power the game-one win, while Bobby Dalbec (Arizona) knocked his second as part of a 3-for-3 day. Sean Murphy (Wright State) went 2-for-3 and hit his first homer. Kyle Cedotal (SE Louisiana) tossed five scoreless innings for the win, and Kit Scheetz (Virginia Tech) delivered his third scoreless relief outing of the summer. In the second game, Orleans was limited to three hits by Wareham starter Anthony Kay, a standout at UConn this spring, and reliever Ryan Olson (Cal Poly Pomona), but the Firebirds scratched one run across and held down the Wareham offense completely. Dalbec’s second home run of the doubleheader provided the only offense. Mitchell Jordan (Stetson) gave up one hit in five innings. Stephen Nogosek (Oregon) and Jason Harper (Southern Connecticut) closed the shutout. Orleans, now 5-2, moved into first place in the East with the sweep.

Harwich 1, Bourne 1; Harwich 6, Bourne 2

Bourne picked up a tie in the opener (there’s an innings limit in doubleheader games) but remained winless as Harwich took a 6-2 victory in the nightcap at Whitehouse Field. Cameron Duzenack (Dallas Baptist) homered in the third inning of the first game but Harwich answered in the fourth on an RBI double by Drew Ellis (The Citadel). Neither team would score again through nine full innings. Kyle Driscoll (Rutgers) and Austin Conway (Indiana State) were lights-out in the Bourne bullpen – with Conway striking out five of seven batters he faced – while Spencer Trayner (North Carolina) and Williams Durruthy (Florida International) did the job for Harwich. In game two, Preston Palmeiro (NC State) and Michael Hernandez (Nova Southeastern) drove in two runs apiece to power the six-run burst. Bourne was within a run in the sixth before Harwich pulled away. Hunter Williams (North Carolina) picked up the win with 5.2 solid innings. Sheldon Neuse (Oklahoma) – the rare two-way player on the Cape – picked up the save in his first outing on the mound.

Chatham 6, Falmouth 4; Falmouth 3, Chatham 2

The only split of the busy Sunday came at Veterans Field, where Chatham took the opener but watched Falmouth score the go-ahead run in the ninth to win the second game. Trenton Brooks (Nevada) went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the first game. Kyle Adams (Richmond) added two RBI, while Will Craig (Wake Forest) had two hits and scored a run. James Mulry (Northeastern) pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the win and Andre Scrubb (High Point) got the save. Brooks was hot again in the second game, notching his third straight two-hit game and upping his league-best average to .500. But Falmouth had the last laugh, breaking a 2-2 tie on a Boomer White (Texas A&M) RBI single. The hit scored Mitch Longo (Ohio), who had reached on an error, taken second on a sac bunt and stolen third. Andrew Frankenreider (Northern Illinois) grabbed his second save in as many days with a scoreless bottom of the ninth.

What to Watch

It’s a league-wide off-day Monday. Getting back to action Tuesday, Hyannis and Cotuit will renew their rivalry with a 5 p.m. game at Lowell Park.

June 11, 2015June 11, 2015

Second time’s a charm

Nick Deeg, Hyannis, Cape Cod Baseball League

Nick Deeg‘s first Cape Cod Baseball League outing with Hyannis was almost exactly one year ago. The Central Michigan rising junior faced Cotuit and gave up four runs in seven innings.

In a nice bit of symmetry that perfectly reflects the kind of summer Deeg is poised for this year, his first start of 2015 came Wednesday, against Cotuit. This time, the big lefty went eight shutout innings in a 5-0 win for the Harbor Hawks.

It could be a sign of things to come.

Deeg was solid in his first summer on the Cape, putting up a 3.89 ERA while pitching mostly as a starter. It was a season much like his first with Central Michigan, in which he 5-4 with a 4.08 ERA. This past spring, he took the leap with the Chippewas, going 8-5 with a 3.11 ERA, and appears primed for a leap with the Harbor Hawks, too.

Last year, he didn’t strike out more than five batters in any outing. Last night, he struck out eight. Deeg didn’t allow a hit in the first three innings and ended up giving up just two – both singles – in his seven innings of work. HIs performance was probably the best start of the young Cape League season.

Deeg was backed by home runs from Colby Bortles (Ole Miss) and Jake Rogers (Tulane). Corey Bird (Marshall) and Errol Robinson (Ole Miss) added RBI. The Harbor Hawks have put up 21 hits in their first two games, best in the league.

The win moves the Harbor Hawks to 2-0. And Deeg’s performance means they may have found an ace.

Brewster 6, Orleans 4

The Whitecaps won their season opener last year then lost their next game by a 10-0 score. The start’s been better this year, as Brewster is 2-0 and leads the league in runs scored so far. Robbie Tenerowicz (California) went 2-for-4 with a home run to lead the attack Wednesday while Ryan Peurifoy (Georgia Tech) had two RBI. Hunter Martin (Tennessee) started on the hill and went five solid innings before a good effort by the Whitecap bullpen. Pat Ruotolo (Connecticut), who had three saves for Brewster last summer, struck out two in a scoreless ninth for his first of this summer. Orleans got a home run from Kyle Lewis, a late addition to their roster who had an absolutely enormous spring for Mercer, hitting .367 with 17 homers and 19 doubles on his way to Southern Conference Player of the Year honors. He’s a rising junior.

Chatham 3, Bourne 2

Chatham is also 2-0 thanks to a narrow win over the Braves. The Anglers scored an unearned run in the top of the ninth to break a 2-2 tie then got a scoreless bottom half from C.J. Burdick (San Diego). Jim McDade (Millersville) had the win in relief. Zack Short (Sacred Heart) and Aaron Barnett (Pepperdine) had two hits and an RBI each, while ACC Player of the Year Will Craig (Wake Forest) had his first two Cape League hits after an 0-for-3 on opening night. Bourne, which fell to 0-2, got five shutout innings from Andrew Ravel (Kent State).

Wareham 10, Falmouth 1

Duke’s Bailey Clark faced just three over the minimum in a strong start and the Gatemen pounded their way to a 10-1 win over Falmouth. Tanner Kirk (Wichita State) went 3-for-5 with two runs scored at the top of the lineup. Mandy Alvarez (Eastern Kentucky) had two RBI. The Gatemen moved to 1-1 while Falmouth fell to 0-2.

Harwich 4, Y-D 2

The defending champs are 0-2 after a 4-2 loss to Harwich Wednesday. The Mariners picked up a pair of RBI from Johnny Adams (Boston College) and Drew Ellis (The Citadel) chipped in an RBI single. Geoff Bramblett (Alabama) gave up one run and struck out six in six innings of work. Luke Scherzer (Virginia Tech) picked up the save. Stephen Wrenn (Georgia) homered for the Red Sox.

What to Watch

It’s a (very) early battle for first place in the East as Chatham visits Brewster for a 5 p.m. game at Stony Brook Field. Gabe Friese, a solid starter with Kennesaw State this year, is slated to start for the Anglers. Brandon Gold, a standout for Georgia Tech, is the projected starter for the Whitecaps.

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015

Harwich poised for more success

Harwich annually mines big-time programs for top young talent, and the cast will be similar this year. The pitching staff may lack a star at this point, but there’s plenty of pop in the order, with a handful of returning players ready to lead the way.

The Mariners won the Eastern Division regular-season crown last year.

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Buddy Reed
2. Sheldon Neuse
3. Saige Jenco
4. Hunter Newman
5. Cavan Biggio

NOTABLE

Harwich has some Big League bloodlines with the sons of Craig Biggio and Preston Palmeiro and a cousin of Brad Lidge. With Biggio and Lidge, it’s a particularly strong Houston Astros connection. Can we find a Bagwell somewhere?

Like a number of teams profiled so far, the Mariners don’t have the proven ace-type pitcher on staff. Alabama’s Geoffrey Bramblett is probably the closest, after a steady year in the Crimson Tide’s weekend rotation.

LSU’s Hunter Newman has been terrific in a bullpen role for the Omaha-bound Tigers this season. He has a 0.53 ERA in plenty of work.

Florida and outfielder Buddy Reed are also headed to Omaha. Reed has been one of the best hitters in a dynamic Gator offense. He was rated one of the top prospects in the Northwoods League last summer.

Virginia Tech’s Saige Jenco was one of the top prospects in the Futures League before he even got to Blacksburg, playing there after his senior season of high school. The outfielder has since turned into an all-ACC player.

Baseball America tabbed Oklahoma’s Sheldon Neuse as its preseason Big 12 Player of the Year. It didn’t quite pan out, but Neuse still earned first-team all-conference honors after hitting .275. Neuse plays shortstop and can also pitch.

PITCHERS

Evan Anderson – SO – Ole Miss – Had 2.11 ERA in swing role last year but had some struggles in same spot this year, with ERA over 6
Geoffrey Bramblett – SO – Alabama – Moved to weekend rotation this year and was solid, going 8-3 with 3.81 ERA and 69 Ks
Williams Durruthy – SO – Florida International – Standout reliever for two years running had 2.18 ERA, 2 saves this year
Anthony Pacillo – SO – Seton Hall – Has 3.69 career ERA over 27 appearances, mostly starts in two years with Pirates
Joe O’Donnell – SO – NC State – Ranked second on team in appearances and posted 2.08 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 52 IP
Sean Labsan – SO – Florida Atlantic – Two-way player focused mostly on pitching this season and had 3.61 ERA as a starter
Luke Scherzer – SO – Virginia Tech – Closer for the Hokies since freshman year owns nine career saves, struck out 56 in 45.2 IP this year
Spencer Trayner – SO – North Carolina – Bullpen workhorse had 4.81 ERA in 23 appearances this spring
Cam Vieaux – SO – Michigan State – Followed solid freshman year by going 4-7 with 3.49 ERA in weekend rotation
Hunter Williams – FR – North Carolina – Made nine solid starts as a freshman and posted 1.79 ERA
Cory Wilder – SO – NC State – Led team in strikeouts with 79 in 64.1 innings, finished with 3.50 ERA
Zach Schellenger – FR – Seton Hall – Big righty went 2-3 with 4.97 ERA in debut season with Seton Hall
Jacob Hill – JR – San Diego – Former JUCO standout had ERA over seven in 20 relief appearances but struck out 30 in 28 IP
Joe DiBenedetto – SO – Seton Hall – Grabbed closer’s spot and saved three games to go with 3.13 ERA this spring
Hunter Newman – SO – LSU – Back after medical redshirt, has been lights-out reliever with 0.53 ERA in 33.2 IP

CATCHERS

Stevie Berman – SO – Santa Clara – Standout hitter from the catching spot batted .336 with 4 HR this year
Ryan Lidge – SO – Notre Dame – Nephew of former MLB closer Brad hit .279 with two homers in second season with Irish

INFIELDERS

Cavan Biggio – SO – Notre Dame – Son of Craig, returning Mariner hit .258 with 9 HR as a sophomore
Drew Ellis – FR – The Citadel – Hit only .229 as a freshman but blasted 12 HR, fourth in the nation among freshmen
Preston Palmeiro – SO – NC State – Son of former MLB star Rafael hit .305 with 7 HRs in first season of full-time duty
Connor Justus – SO – Georgia Tech – Standout defender at shortstop hit .251 this season
Sheldon Neuse – SO – Oklahoma – Fourth-best prospect in Cal Collegiate League last year hit .275 with 6 HR this spring
Danny Zardon – SO – LSU – Returning Mariner hitting .288 for Tigers as a sophomore

OUTFIELDERS

Saige Jenco – SO – Virginia Tech – Third-team all-ACC pick hit .330 with 3 HR, 27 RBI and 10 SB
Buddy Reed – SO – Florida – Standout in Northwoods League last summer hitting .313 with 18 SB for Omaha-bound Gators
Nick Walker – SO – Old Dominion – Tied for team lead with six home runs this year, to go with .279 average
Brock Deatherage – NC State – Started 35 games as a freshman and hit .291, stole 7 bases