FALMOUTH, Mass. — “We need to hit.”
That was Field Manager Scott Landers message for the team following the Braves’ second-straight shutout loss, this time coming in 4-0 fashion to the Falmouth Commodores.
Despite having five hits, three more than in their first shutout loss to Y-D, the Braves’ offense failed to find the scoreboard. Bourne had three runners in scoring position throughout the entire game, only one of which reached third base.
“We have to have better focus at the plate and better at-bats,” said Landers about what the team needs to improve offensively.
Defensively, the Braves weren’t much prettier. Bourne had three errors on the day, two coming on a botched play in the fourth. With a runner on second, Falmouth’s Carter White (UCF) drove a single into left field. The Braves' left fielder, Andrew Costello (South Carolina), made a throw to the plate that went to the backstop. As the Commodores’ runner came to the plate, C Brice Estep (South Carolina) collected the ball but made the second throwing error of the play. Falmouth scored and White ended up on third, coming home to score on a sacrifice fly and give the Commodores a 2-0 lead.
After the game, Landers described the play as a “lack of everything,” from the Braves.
The lone bright spot of the night for the Bravos was RHP Jackson Kircher. After being named to the All-Star team earlier in the day, Kircher threw 2.2 scoreless innings in relief without giving up a walk or hit. The Braves’ righty has now thrown 11.2 innings without giving up an earned run this season.
“I was getting ahead with the fastball and letting the offspeed work,” said Kircher about his successful outing.”I’m trying to be the same guy every day and just fill up the strike zone.”
After Kircher left the game, the Commodores were able to score two more runs in the eighth inning to secure their 4-0 victory.
WHAT IT MEANS
Despite the loss, Bourne still maintains their lead in the CCBL West division. However, Falmouth closes in on the Braves with the win, sitting just two points behind them for the top spot in the division.
BOURNEBRAVES.ORG PLAYER OF THE GAME
Blake Schaaf is tonight’s Player of the Game. Schaaf was the only Brave to reach base twice in Saturday’s contest, and was the lone Bourne baserunner to reach third base. The Braves’ All-Star shortstop improves his batting average to .288 on the season, the second-best mark amongst current Bourne hitters.
NEXT UP
The Braves return home on Sunday to play the Wareham Gatemen for their last game before an off day. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. ET.
