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Chasing the Throne

An all-star game home run derby needs the league leader in homers.

If the Cape League’s event were held today, that would be impossible. The lead in home runs belongs to a guy now playing for the State College Spikes of the New York-Penn League. Matt Davis, who parlayed his big summer with Brewster into a pro contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, already has his professional career underway.

But the derby may yet get its home run king.

Colton Shaver (BYU) hit his sixth home run of the summer in Wareham’s 3-2 win over Harwich Monday night and has a few games to catch Davis’ number as he heads into the derby.

Shaver doesn’t have the batting average of some recent Cape League star hitters – he’s at .250 – but his on-base percentage is nearly 100 points higher than the batting average mark. He’s slugging .480, good for fourth in the league.

Shaver’s home run Monday lifted the Gatemen over East-leading Harwich. They trailed 2-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth when a Gavin Sheets (Wake Forest) RBI single started the comeback. One pitch later, Shaver blasted a two-run shot and the Gatemen remained in the lead from there.

Dalton Horton (TCU) pitched three scoreless innings of relief after a solid outing by starter Jeff Bain (California) and Jake Matthys (Angelo State) worked a scoreless ninth for the save. Harwich, with 23 runs in its last two games, had only two runs on seven hits in this one.

Wareham improved to 15-14-3, enough for second place in the West.

 

Hyannis 8, Bourne 5

Three players had multi-hit games and two hit homers as Hyannis out-slugged Bourne. Brett Netzer (Charlotte) and Chris Hudgins (Cal State Fullerton) did the home run damage, with Hudgins’ blast – his third of the summer – opening up a bigger lead in the eighth after Bourne had come within a run. Netzer finished with two hits and scored three runs. Ford Proctor (Rice) added two hits and Cody Henry (Alabama) went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Justin Lewis (Kentucky) made his first start after six relief appearances and went 4.1 scoreless innings for Hyannis. For Bourne, Justin Yurchak (Binghamton) went 2-for-4 with his first home run of the summer and Connor Wong (Houston) had three hits and two RBI.

Falmouth 12, Cotuit 0

The Commodores rolled past Cotuit for their third consecutive win. Deacon Liput (Florida) hit a grand slam and J.J. Matijevic (Arizona) went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI. The rest of Falmouth’s hits were singles but the Commodores were productive nonetheless, scoring the 12 runs on nine hits. Tristan Gray (Rice) went 2-for-3 with three RBI and leadoff man Michael Gigliotti (Lipscomb) scored three runs. Cotuit got two hits from Greyson Jenista (Wichita State) but couldn’t do much else against Brendan King (Holy Cross) and three relievers. King struck out eight, allowed three hits and didn’t walk a batter in six scoreless innings.

 

What to Watch

The four teams that were not in action Monday get back at it today. League strikeout leader Zac Lowther (Xavier) gets the start for Brewster ar Chatham.
 

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Close Calls

Willy Yahn scored a run as Bourne edged Cotuit.
Willy Yahn scored a run as Bourne edged Cotuit.

 
The best team batting average and second-best on-base percentage in the league have helped the Bourne Braves race to the top of the West with a 10-5-1 record. Their knack for winning close games has helped, too.

With a 5-4 win over Cotuit Tuesday, the Braves went to 6-1-1 in games decided by two runs or less. That means half the team’s games have been close, and the Braves have won all but one of them.

There have been late heroics, like a walk-off on opening night and a victory in 10 innings the next night. There have also been games like Tuesday, where the bullpen finishes strong and holds up an early lead.

The Braves jumped on Cotuit with five runs in the top of the first inning. They wouldn’t score again and Cotuit got within a run, but the last three pitchers to take the mound pitched a hitless inning each to preserve the slim lead.

The first run of the game came home on a wild pitch. David MacKinnon (Hartford) then knocked a two-run single, Evan Mendoza (NC State) plated a run with a base hit and MacKinnon raced in on a passed ball. Just like that, it was 5-0.

Bourne starter Tony Dibrell (Kennesaw State) – making his first appearance since hooking on with the Braves after being released by Chatham – allowed one run in four innings before the Kettleers scored two in the fifth. Greyson Jenista (Wichita State) had a pair of RBI to lead the comeback effort.

Reliever Chad Luensmann (Nebraska) gave up one run in 1.2 innings before giving way to the big finish. Sean Leland (Louisville), Ronnie Rossomando (Connecticut) and Andrew Wantz (UNC Greensboro) combined for three near-perfect innings. The only base runner reached on a walk and was later erased on a double play. Wantz earned his second save and struck out two in the ninth, giving him 15 Ks in 10.1 innings.

With the win, the Braves have a one-game lead on Wareham for first place in the West. Bourne has won three in a row.
 

Wareham 1, Chatham 0

The Gatemen kept pace with Bourne thanks to a shutout of Chatham. Jeff Bain (California) went four innings to start the scoreless string. Nick Sprengel (San Diego) then delivered the most dominant stint, striking out seven in three perfect innings of relief on his way to earning the win. Ryan Selmer (Maryland) and Christian Taugner (Brown) tossed one inning each to finish off the shutout. Four Chatham pitchers were almost as good, with starter Andrew Karp (Florida State) striking out five in four innings to lead the way. But Wareham’s one run in the sixth inning was enough. Harrison Wenson (Michigan) led off the inning with a double. With two outs, Cole Freeman (LSU) brought him home with a base hit for the only run the Gatemen would need. Wareham improved to 9-6-1 while Chatham is one of three East teams sitting at 8-8.

Harwich 5, Brewster 1

B.J. Myers (West Virginia) picked up his league-best third win by shutting down the Cape’s highest scoring offense as Harwich topped Brewster. Myers struck out six and scattered five hits in seven shutout innings. He’s now 3-0 with a 0.42 ERA and has gone at least seven innings in each of his three starts. The only run he’s allowed was in his first start. Nick Brown (William & Mary) and Zach Schellenger (Seton Hall) finished off the win for the Mariners. Pavin Smith (Virginia) went 3-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Harwich offense, and Cal Raleigh (Florida State) had two RBI. Harwich improved to a league-best 12-4. Brewster got a home run from Ryan Noda (Cincinnati) – his fourth – plus two hits by Nick Dunn (Maryland). Tyler Zuber (Arkansas State) pitched six solid innings of relief for the Whitecaps and struck out six, putting him into a tie for the league lead with 21 Ks.

Hyannis 6, Falmouth 3

The Harbor Hawks handled Falmouth for their seventh win in nine games since their 0-7 start. Andrew Gonzalez (Michigan State) got the start and was hit for three runs in 4.1 innings, but five Hyannis relievers teamed up for a dominant showing, allowing only two hits over the final 4.2 innings. Matthew Naylor (North Florida) was credited with the win and Tyler Stevens (New Mexico) picked up the save. The bullpen efforts set the stage for a rally and the Harbor Hawk offense obliged with three runs in the third and three more in the fifth. A two-run home run by Cody Henry (Alabama) was the biggest blow. Zach Rutherford (Old Dominion) added three hits and an RBI, with Brett Netzer (Charlotte) and Jordan Rodgers (Tennessee) also driving in runs. For Falmouth, Michael Gigliotti (Lipscomb) had three hits.

Orleans 5, Y-D 3

The Firebirds snapped a four-game slide with a victory over Y-D. Kirk McCarty (Southern Mississippi) struck out seven and allowed two runs in 5.1 innings for the win. Brandon Bielak (Notre Dame) earned the save. Keegan McGovern (Georgia) homered and drove in two to pace the offensive attack for Orleans, while Brian Miller (North Carolina) and Riley Mahan (Kentucky) drove in one run each. Justin Jones (Georgia State) scored a pair of runs. Orleans went to 8-8. Kevin Smith (Maryland) had three hits for Y-D, which dropped to 7-9.

What to Watch

Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Tyler Wilson (Rhode Island) makes his second start of the summer when Harwich visits Orleans.
 

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Wareham ready to go

wareham
 
Wareham has a talented team on deck that has a chance to be close to a finished product early on.
 

FIVE TO WATCH

1. Colton Shaver
2. Alex Destino
3. Jake Walters
4. Gunner Leger
5. K.J. Harrison
 

NOTABLE

  • The Gatemen have a new head coach, as Jerry Weinstein takes over for Cooper Farris. Weinstein has an extensive resume in the college and professional ranks, most recently serving as the Rockies’ developmental supervisor.

  • Wareham didn’t have a fantastic season last year, but it did include Andrew Calica hitting over .400. As individual accomplishments go, that will be tough to top.

  • Lots of players — hitters and pitchers — coming off big springs and ticketed for Wareham. The best news for the Gatemen? There may not be many detours. The Gatemen have six players in Super Regionals, less than a lot of Cape League teams. There’s also only one current Team USA invite on the roster.

  • Robert Garcia, Gunner Leger and Jake Walters could make a pretty strong top of the rotation for the Gatemen. All three were the top starters for their teams and put up terrific numbers.

  • Pepperdine’s Ryan Wilson saved six games this spring and struck out well over a batter an inning. Definitely a potential closer for the Gatemen.

  • Alex Destino is listed as a pitcher/first baseman on the Wareham roster, but has only pitched one inning for South Carolina this year. It wil be interesting to see if he gets any time on the mound. Given his offensive success, he wouldn’t have to be a two-way guy to contribute. Destino has 10 home runs as the Gamecocks head to Super Regionals.

  • Seven of the 14 hitters on the Wareham roster hit at least eight home runs this spring. That’s no small feat in the world of college baseball.

  • The highest total belongs to D-II Azusa Pacific’s Adrian Tovalin, who blasted 22 of them. He was one of the national leaders in D-II.

  • Wareham has quite a trio of catchers, all of whom hit around .300. And Colton Shaver and Harrison Wenson could be the best offensive catchers on the Cape. Shaver has 23 home runs in two years at BYU and Wenson hit eight for Michigan this spring.

  • K.J. Harrison won the Pac 12 Freshman of the Year honor for Oregon State last year and followed it with a pretty strong sophomore season. His teammate, Nick Madrigal, is the one Team USA invite.

  • Wake Forest was a powerful offensive team in the ACC this spring, and Gavin Sheets did much of the damage with nine home runs.

  • Luke Bonfield is off to Wareham after playing for Y-D last summer. He’s coming off a good spring for Arkansas.

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    PITCHERS

    Jeff Bain – SO – California – Has pitched well in swing role for two seasons, finishing with 3.43 ERA, 32 Ks in 42 innings this year
    Brett Conine – FR – Cal State Fullerton – Pitched mostly in relief and had 5.10 ERA in 15 appearances with 24 strikeouts in 30 IP
    Robert Garcia – SO – UC Davis – Made 11 relief appearances before shining in starting role, finishing with 2.73 ERA, 78 Ks, .208 OBA
    Ty Harpenau – FR – Texas Tech – Mid-week starter and reliever has 6.85 ERA, 32 Ks for Super Regional bound Texas Tech
    Anthony Herron – JR – Jefferson College – Missouri State commit had 1.76 ERA, 89 Ks in 66.2 IP in junior college ranks
    Gunner Leger – SO – Louisiana Lafayette – Reigning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year starred as Friday starter this year, with 2.26 ERA, 81 Ks
    Casey Mize – FR – Auburn – Had solid season in bullpen and mid-week rotation, finishing at 3.52 with 59 Ks in 69 IP
    Zachary Pop – SO – Kentucky – One of Northwoods top prospects last year had 5.21 ERA this spring in relief and mid-week starts
    Ryan Selmer – RS SO – Maryland – Led team in appearances and saved four games with 4.50 ERA
    Ethan Small – FR – Mississippi State – Highly-touted freshman has 20 Ks in 10.1 IP, though ERA is high thanks to two rough outings
    Nick Sprengel – FR – San Diego – Went 5-7 with 5.92 ERA as starter and reliever but fanned 70 in 65.1 innings
    Jake Walters – SO – Alabama – Top starter for Tide finished with 2.67 ERA, 84 Ks in 84.1 innings
    Ryan Wilson – SO – Pepperdine – Started three games before taking on closer’s role and finished with six saves, 0.63 ERA
     

    CATCHERS

    Joey Bart – FR – Georgia Tech – 27th-round pick out of high school started 41 games as a freshman and hit .296
    Colton Shaver – SO – BYU – Hit 13 homers as a frosh and didn’t slow down much this year, batting .335 with 10 long balls, 57 RBI
    Harrison Wenson – JR – Michigan – Johnny Bench Award semifinalist hit .289 with team-high 8 HR and 56 RBI
     

    INFIELDERS

    Alex Destino – SO – South Carolina – One of top prospects in Coastal Plain League last year hitting .325 with 10 HR, 59 RBI
    Cole Freeman – SO – LSU – JUCO transfer hitting .324 while starting every game in first season with Tigers
    Preston Grand Pre – SO – California – Batted .290 with five steals and .349 OBP while manning second base for Golden Bears
    K.J. Harrison – SO – Oregon State – PAC 12 Freshman of the Year in 2015 saw average dip a bit to .265 but still hit 10 HR, 28 XBH
    Nick Madrigal – FR – Oregon State – 17th-round pick, highly-touted recruit hit .333, made only five errors at second base in debut
    Gavin Sheets – SO – Wake Forest – Finished second on the team behind All-American Will Craid with .326 average, nine homers, 45 RBI
    Adrian Tovalin – SO – Azusa Pacific – Had huge year for D-II Cougars, hitting .365 with 22 home runs
     

    OUTFIELDERS

    Luke Bonfield – SO – Arkansas – Hit .211 in 27 games for Y-D last summer and batted .304 with eight home runs this spring
    Carl Chester – SO – Miami – Grabbed full-time spot this year and is hitting .338 with 2 HR and team-high 16 steals
    Jonathan Engelmann – SO – Michigan – Hit .257 as a sophomore in 39 games
    Austen Wade – SO – TCU – Saw limited action last year before emergence this season has led to .307 AVG, 25 RBI, 13 SB