Streak No. 4

Parker Dunshee went six strong innings to help Chatham take game one of a doubleheader with Hyannis.

Chatham’s eight wins this season have all come in two-win bursts. They won two in a row to start the summer, lost their next game, won two in a row, lost three straight, then won two in a row and lost their next game.

Their latest burst was their most impressive. The Anglers visited West-leading Hyannis Monday at McKeon Park and swept a doubleheader with the Harbor Hawks, winning 3-2 and 3-1.

The victories give Chatham an 8-5 record, which matches Hyannis and is good for second-best in the league to Orleans’ 10-3 mark.

Chatham started the twin bill with a bang Monday night, scoring all three of its runs in the top of the first inning. Will Craig (Wake Forest), Aaron Barnett (Pepperdine) and Zack Short (Sacred Heart) knocked in the runs in consecutive at-bats.

The early lead proved just enough for a pair of Chatham pitchers. Starter Parker Dunshee (Wake Forest) allowed two runs in six-plus innings and struck out three. In the seventh – the final inning in scheduled doubleheader games – Hyannis scored a run off reliever Andre Scrubb (High Point), which was charged to Dunshee, and had the winning run on base before Scrubb retired the final two batters for his third save.

In the second game, it was Hyannis that jumped in front with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Chatham immediately took the lead with two in the second and tacked on insurance in the seventh. Short homered for the Anglers, while Trenton Brooks (Nevada) and Cory Raley (Texas Tech) knocked in one run each.

Ty Damron (Texas Tech) allowed one run in five innings of work for the win. C.J. Burdick (San Diego) and Aaron McGarity (Virginia Tech) pitched a scoreless inning each to finish it off.

The Anglers had two in a row again. They’ll try to stretch a streak to three for the first time all year when they host Brewster tonight.

Harwich 5, Cotuit 3; Harwich 6, Cotuit 1

Harwich also swept its doubleheader, making things interesting at the top of the East standings, where there hasn’t been much of a race to this point. The Mariners are now 7-5-1, just a point back of Chatham for second place. Starting pitching set the course for the Mariners Monday, with each of their starters going five innings and giving up no earned runs. Joe O’Donnell (NC State) did it in the first game before Cotuit took a late lead against the bullpen. Harwich rallied for three runs in the seventh to win it. Saige Jenco (Virginia Tech) had an RBI single to power the rally. Luke Scherzer (Virginia Tech) grabbed his league-best fourth save. Hunter Williams (North Carolina) allowed one unearned run in five innings for the win in game two. Michael Hernandez (Nova Southeastern) powered a 10-hit attack with a three-run homer. Adam Pate (North Carolina) had three hits, while Cavan Biggio (Notre Dame) had two hits and two RBI, bumping his average to .371. Cotuit’s Michael Paez (Coastal Carolina) in the sweep, going 2-for-3 to take over the league batting lead at .400. He’s also second in stolen bases with six.

Y-D 7, Falmouth 6; Y-D 5, Falmouth 1

The defending champs have struggled this season, but they know how to win a doubleheader. The Red Sox topped Falmouth for their second twin bill sweep of the summer, which accounts for four of their five wins on the season. Y-D scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take the opener, with Mike Donadio (St. John’s), Gio Brusa (Washington), Stephen Wrenn (Georgia) and Connor Wong (Houston) driving in the runs. Wrenn finished 2-for-4 with three RBI. Brusa, a standout with Brewster last year, went 1-for-4 in his 2015 debut. Christopher Viall (Stanford) pitched a scoreless bottom of the seventh to finish off the game-one win. The Red Sox stayed hot in game two, smacking nine hits on their way to the sweep. Tommy Edman (Stanford) drove in two runs. Ricky Thomas (Fresno State) turned in his second strong start of the summer, giving up one run in 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts.

Bourne 6, Orleans 3; Orleans 3, Bourne 0

The Braves snapped Orleans’ six-game winning streak in the opener but Orleans got right back on track with a shutout in the second game. Jacob Robson (Mississippi State) had two hits and two RBI to pace a 10-hit Bourne attack in the first game. Mike Garzillo (Lehigh), Corey Julks (Houston) and Ryan Boldt (Nebraska) also had two hits. Bryan Baker (North Florida) turned in his third straight scoreless relief outing, going 3.1 innings and striking out five for the win. Austin Conway (Indiana State) picked up the save. In the second game, Bourne was no match for Mitchell Jordan (Stetson), who dominated again. He went five scoreless innings, just as he did in his first two starts of the summer. He also struck out seven to take over the league lead in that category with 17. Joe Ryan (Cal State Northridge) pitched the final two innings for the save. An error and a two-run single by Austin Miller (Loyola Marymount) in the sixth gave Orleans all the offense it would need. Nick Jensen-Clagg (Kent State) was a bright spot for Bourne in the loss, striking out eight in four scoreless innings. He has 16 strikeouts in 8.1 innings this summer.

Brewster 5, Wareham 4; Wareham 5, Brewster 0

Brewster used a four-run fourth inning to pull away in game one, while two Gatemen pitchers combined on a shutout in game two. The Whitecaps took a 1-0 lead in the first game on a third-inning home run by Toby Handley (Stony Brook). They added four hits in the fourth innings, and three runs came home on passed balls or wild pitches, ahead of an RBI double by Eli White (Clemson). Wareham chipped away but was held scoreless over the final two innings. Thomas Hackimer (St. John’s) went the final 1.1 for the save. Highly-touted lefty Matt Krook (Oregon) started for Wareham, making his first appearance since the 2014 college season, and struck out two in two scoreless innings. In game two, Wareham righted the ship thanks to Evan Hill (Michigan) who allowed three hits in six shutout innings. He had plenty of support, with Logan Sowers (Indiana) and Andrew Knizner (NC State) driving in two runs each.

What to Watch

Orleans has had just one game against its closest competition in the East, but that changes this week. Harwich visits Eldredge Field tonight and Chatham comes to town Thursday.

June 21, 2015June 21, 2015

In on the no-hitter act

Devin Smeltzer winds up for a pitch on his way to his no-hitter of Harwich Saturday night. (Courtesy Mary K. Albis)

Devin Smeltzer finished his freshman season at Florida Gulf Coast with a 6.19 ERA, not the kind of debut the highly-touted left-hander was hoping for. His first start for Hyannis in the Cape Cod Baseball League was a big step in the right direction. He struck out nine and gave up two runs in 5.2 innings.

His second start was a giant leap. Smeltzer tossed a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over Harwich at Whitehouse Field Saturday night. I believe it’s the league’s first nine-inning, single-pitcher no-hitter since 2010, when Y-D’s Jordan Pries did it. It was the first for Hyannis since Matt Daly in 2007.

Smeltzer did it on a night when Max Scherzer threw a no-hitter for the Washington Nationals. There was also a no-hitter in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Smeltzer needed just 91 pitches for his feat, a remarkable number. Sometimes, at this point in the summer, as arm strength is built back up, managers might shy away from pushing a pitcher the full nine innings – in 2013, three Bourne pitchers combined on a no-hitter for that very reason – but I can’t imagine there was much concern in this case.

Smeltzer threw 60 of his 91 pitchers for strikes and walked only one batter – on a 3-2 pitch – in the seventh. That was all that kept Smeltzer from a perfect game. He struck out four and recorded 13 ground ball outs, as the defense behind him shined.

After the walk, Smeltzer retired seven batters in a row to finish the game. The last batter he faced, Virginia Tech’s Saige Jenco, worked the count to 2-2 and fouled off a pair of pitches before hitting a ground ball to shortstop. Errol Robinson (Ole Miss), who handled six grounders at short, made one last play, and the celebration was on.

Austin Hays (Jacksonville) drove in three runs to back Smeltzer, while Robinson and his college teammate Jacob Noll (Florida Gulf Coast) knocked in one apiece.

With his slim build and lefty delivery, Smeltzer has often been compared to former Florida Gulf Coast – and Y-D Red Sox – star Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox. But Smeltzer’s Cape League career now includes something Sale’s did not.

And to make all of this even better, Smeltzer is a guy you’ll want to be rooting for. He beat cancer when he was just 9 years old, long before he became a baseball star.

Orleans 3, Falmouth 1

Orleans remained the hottest team in the league, topping Falmouth 3-2 for its sixth consecutive win. The Firebirds are now 9-2, best in the league. Reggie Southall (USC), who’s taking over at shortstop now that Colby Woodmansee is with team USA, went 2-for-3 with a triple and scored two runs. Kyle Lewis (Mercer) and Alex Call (Ball State) drove in runs. Corbin Burnes (St. Mary’s), making his second start, allowed one run in five innings and struck out four. Parker Bean (Liberty) and Joe Ryan (Cal State Northridge) combined on four scoreless innings of relief.

Brewster 16, Cotuit 6

On the heels of snapping its six-game losing streak, Brewster started a win streak with an offensive barrage against Cotuit. Five players had multi-hit games and the Whitecaps scored 16 runs on 17 hits for an easy win over the Kettleers. Colin Lyman (Louisville) went 4-for-5 atop the lineup and scored three runs. Nick Senzel (Tennessee) had three hits and two RBI, while Will Smith (Louisville), Robbie Tenerowicz (California) and Jack Meggs (Washington) had two hits each. Smith and Tenerowicz both homered. Pat Ruotolo (Connecticut) was credited with the win in relief for Brewster. Matt Albanese (Bryant) homered for Cotuit.

Wareham 5, Y-D 2

The Gatemen smacked 12 hits and pulled away from Y-D for a 5-2 victory. Jay Jabs (Franklin Pierce) hit his second home run of the summer, while David MacKinnon (Hartford) and Preston Grand Pre (California) had three hits apiece. Blake Fox (Rice) made his wareham debut and gave up one run in five innings for the win. Stephen Woods Jr. (Albany) picked up the save. Wareham improved to 5-6, good for a second-place tie in the West. Y-D, lost for the fourth time in a row and fell to 3-8.

Bourne 8, Chatham 2

Bourne out-hit Chatham 10-8 but built a much bigger margin on the scoreboard in an 8-2 win over the Anglers at Veterans Field. Reid Humphreys (Mississippi State) homered and four other Braves drove in one run apiece. Nick Solak (Louisville) stayed red-hot, picking up his fifth RBI and pushing his average to .438 in four games since joining the team late. On the mound, five pitchers combined for a solid showing, with the win going to reliever Ross Vance (West Virginia). For Chatham, Trenton Brooks (Nevada) and Kyle Brooks (North Florida) book-ended – or Brooks-ended, perhaps? – the lineup with two hits apiece. Bourne is now 4-6-1 since its rough start, while Chatham dropped to 6-5.

What to Watch

Maybe not much. There is supposed to be a full-slate of Fathers Day doubleheaders but rain will threaten those.

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