It was a picturesque opening night for the Cape Cod Baseball League Saturday night, highlighted by a highly anticipated rematch of last year's thrilling CCBL Championship series between the Orleans Firebirds and the Bourne Braves. A rematch that no one had likely anticipated more, than Firebirds manager, Kelly Nicholson.
Nicholson, admittedly coming into the 24' campaign with some extra hunger following the tough game-three loss to end last season, chooses to look at the prior championship run as an opportunity to grow.
"I only thought about that last game every day, as I think any manager would," said Nicholson. "But I think we learned a lot as coaches, from that series and last season, that we can now apply to this summer. There's always so much to learn."
But now, 306 short days after the final championship game in August, the past must be forgotten, as the Birds are back for another summer with a clean slate and their eyes set on a title.
Right-handed pitcher Evan Truitt, who has returned to the club for a second stint, stepped onto the mound, and delivered his first pitch, officially marking the start of the Firebirds 2024 campaign.
With both teams making contact early, it was only a matter of time before bats got hot. Unfortunately for the Birds, it was the Bourne bats that caught fire first. Right fielder Isaiah Jackson started things off in the bottom of the second with a line drive double to right field, sending Nick Roselli home to put the Braves on the board. Despite the Braves' constant pressure, Truitt managed to bring the Birds into the fourth down just a run.
Heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Birds made their first pitching change of the night and brought in lefty Chase Hoover after three solid innings from Truitt.
Braves' bats reached a boiling point in the fourth, as they were continuously able to put runners in scoring position. It wasn't just the hitting that got them in position, however, as they successfully stole multiple bases, including a double steal in which infielders Braeden Holcomb and Garrett Michel stole 2nd and 3rd respectively. Two more RBIs and a balk put Bourne up 5-0, but with two outs, the end of the bottom frame was in sight for Hoover and the rest of the Firebirds defense. A ground ball headed right toward shortstop Lorenzo Meola seemed to signal the end of an already disastrous inning for the Firebirds, but an unfortunate throwing error that sent the Orleans infield into a scramble resulted in yet another run that made it 6-0 and kept the inning alive for Bourne.
Right-handed pitcher Cody Bowker was called in to end the nightmare inning for the Birds. After one more RBI from the Braves to make it 7-0, Bowker put an end to the fourth.
Nicholson was quick to point out the fourth as a turning point in the game, emphasizing how close they were to escaping before it was too late.
"We were one out from getting out of that inning," the 19th-year manager said. "Normally one run innings don't beat you, it's that big inning that got us tonight. It's baseball and it's crazy."
Orleans would go on to put together some momentum late but ultimately fell to Bourne 9-4.
The Birds look to get back on track tonight when the Cotuit Kettleers visit Eldridge Park at 6:30 pm, a night where the great community of Orleans and the rest of the Outer Cape will no doubt be in full effect to show support for their beloved Firebirds.
