BOURNE, Mass. — Taking both games of a doubleheader in convincing fashion isn’t a simple feat, but it’s exactly what the Bourne Braves pulled off on Saturday.
Following its 4-0 shutout of the Firebirds earlier in the day, Bourne (20-16-3) put up seven runs in the first three innings of Game 2 and held off Orleans (14-25), coming away with a 7-4 victory that extended its unbeaten streak to seven contests.
“We were resting some guys, getting some other guys some [at-bats] right now, and they played really well,” field manager Scott Landers said. “It’s good for us, we’ve got one more day, we got to still rest and guys are banged up. But we’ve got one more game and then go into the playoffs.”
A pair of one-out singles relinquished by starter Cameron Padgett (North Carolina) in the first proved costly, as outfielder Austin Smith (San Diego) drove in outfielder Ben Zeigler-Namoa (Hawaii) from third with a sacrifice fly.
But Bourne brought it right back to tie the contest during the bottom of the frame. Outfielder Ethan Conrad (Wake Forest) led things off by pulling a line drive into right field and speeding his way to second for a double. Two at-bats later, third baseman Braden Holcomb (Vanderbilt) chopped a grounder almost straight down the right field line, which resulted in an RBI single with the Firebirds’ infield shifted.
Entering Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader, outfielder Isaiah Jackson (Arizona State) was quite productive against Orleans this summer, going 3-for-7 with two doubles and five RBI in three games. He struck again in his first at-bat of the night, smacking a double into right that brought in shortstop Blake Barthol (Coastal Carolina) and gave the Braves a 2-1 lead.
Bourne really created separation on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs. Outfielder Davis Gillespie (Southern Mississippi) slammed a two-RBI single into left field with the bases loaded and one out. First baseman Garrett Michel (Virginia Tech) and Jackson also contributed RBI knocks. Jackson provided Michel enough time to score from third by getting caught in a rundown between first and second.
“I just thought we were flat today early [in Game 1],” Landers said. “We just pitched great, so it was good to have 13 hits tonight and go into tomorrow.”
Refusing to go down without resistance — only in need of one win to clinch a playoff spot — Orleans put together a small rally in the fourth to chip away at the Braves’ lead. Third baseman Daniel Bucciero (Fordham) and second baseman Hudson Shupe (Gonzaga) singled before catcher Ian Daughtery (Oklahoma State) drove in the former with yet another single.
Outfielder Evan Griffis (Stetson) then singled to load the bases, and shortstop Chris Barr (Army) walked in another run. Despite both runs being scored under the watch of lefty Preston Prince (Rutgers), they were charged to Padgett, who started the frame. Prince got out of the inning though, inducing two straight outs after Orleans scored its third run.
From there, Prince did his job in two frames of relief, only allowing two hits and a walk while striking out three. Lefty Zach Crotchfelt (Texas Tech) was responsible for the final two innings, and despite allowing a run in the ninth, settled in and shut the door on the Firebirds, averting a bases-loaded jam in the process.
“[Crotchfelt] just reset,” Landers said. “Obviously, the bases were loaded, but he did a good job when it came down to crunch time. We weren’t going to go to anybody else because we don’t really have anybody else today.”
Hitter of the Game — Isaiah Jackson
Jackson certainly seems to play his best baseball against Orleans, and that held true on Saturday. He finished the season series against the Birds going 6-for-10 with three doubles and seven RBI.
His first knock of the night came in the second, as he laced a double into right field that scored Barthol from second and put Bourne ahead 2-1. During the next inning when Bourne put up a five-spot, Jackson was in the middle of it, picking up another RBI single on a line drive to center.
Taking his last at-bat in the fifth with a man on, Jackson recorded his third hit of the night — another single — that concluded a 3-for-3 performance at the plate. After struggling during the first half of the season, he posted a .817 OPS during July and looks to continue being a contributor in Bourne’s lineup as the postseason nears.
“Being able to be in the lineup consecutive days has really helped me get into a routine and get comfortable in the box,” Jackson said. “[I’ve been] taking advantage of that and it’s been working.”
Pitcher of the Game — Zach Crotchfelt
Crotchfelt has blossomed into one of Bourne’s most trusted relievers of late, bringing his trademark energy and shutting opponents down late in games.
Entering the contest in the fifth, he put down the Firebirds in order, striking out one and getting through the frame in seven pitches. While he walked a batter in the sixth, he picked up two more strikeouts and put up another zero.
In the seventh, Crotchfelt ran into some trouble. After allowing a walk, ground-rule double and another walk consecutively, he struck out Bucciero but conceded an earned run due to a productive out. However, he struck out Daugherty to end the game.
“The offense did a great job getting us a lead,” Crotchfelt said. “I didn’t want to be the one to give it up. So it was really just focusing on battling for my guys, for my team, and going to get a second win for the day.”
A look ahead
Bourne will play its final game of the regular season on Sunday at Lowell Park, taking on a Kettleers (22-16-1) team that defeated the Falmouth Commodores, 7-5, Saturday night.
While the Hyannis Harbor Hawks (23-14-2) and Kettleers have secured first and second in the West Division, respectively, the Braves do have something to play for on Sunday. With the win and a Wareham Gatemen loss, Bourne has moved into third place, tied with the Gatemen. If the Braves win against Cotuit, they will clinch third in the division and a one-game playoff back at Lowell Park on Thursday.
Both teams' starters are to be determined. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m.
Notes
Bourne drew 1,973 fans on Saturday night… With a knock on Saturday, Conrad is now on a 13-game hitting streak... Outfielder Tristan Bissetta (Clemson) has reached base in 10 straight games… Meggers also recorded a hit, and now has knocks in all 10 games he’s played on the Cape this summer… Bourne has the second-most strikeouts in the CCBL (387), three fewer than Yarmouth-Dennis with one game to play… The Braves’ staff also boasts the best ERA (3.90) in the league… Conrad has the second-highest OPS (1.335) in the league among qualified hitters on Saturdays. He’s also tied for the league lead in hits (six) among qualified hitters when facing a 2-2 count.
