CHATHAM, Mass. — Bourne tacked on a run in each of its first two innings, then one swing in the sixth off the bat of Mark Quatrani (Notre Dame) gave the Braves the breathing room they needed.
Bourne ventured to Veterans Field on Sunday for a tilt against the Chatham Anglers for its final game of a stretch that featured seven in a row.
It was a much-needed victory heading into a much-needed rest for the Braves, as they knocked off the Anglers, 6-1.
"It was a grind, but we played pretty good baseball for the most part," Landers said. "Some days we didn't show up."
The Braves struck first in their first licks, starting with a two-out single from Braden Holcomb (Vanderbilt), who advanced on a blooper that dropped in right field off of the bat of Ryker Waite (Vanderbilt) for a one-base knock.
An RBI single from Cal Sefcik (Cincinnati) got the scoring started, as Bourne left the frame with a 1-0 lead when Holcomb touched home plate.
Bourne tacked on another in its ensuing swings, starting with a double off the bat from Gavin Kelly (West Virginia), who advanced to third on an errant pick-off attempt from Gavyn Jones (Oklahoma). Holcomb’s second contribution to the run total would follow, as he drilled an RBI sacrifice fly to score Kelly to make it a 2-0 game.
"We need (Holcomb), and he's been great over the last couple weeks," Landers said. "We need him to keep going forward and be the catalyst to this team."
Cam Johnson (Oklahoma) took the mound for Chatham — he didn’t last very long as he walked the trio of Sefcik, Drew Wyers (Mississippi State) and Jason Torres (Alabama) before getting pulled for Christopher Langley (Tyler Junior College).
It was a tough spot for Langley to walk into, and the ensuing batter proved just that, as Quatrani took the fifth pitch of the at-bat and stared it down as it flew into left field, clearing the fence for a 362-foot grand slam.
"I knew it was going out somewhere, either fair or foul," Quatrani said. "I looked at it and they made the right call. I had a smile on my face and was glad I could help out the team."
The seven-game stretch for the Braves featured ups and downs from the pitching staff, dialing in for some outings and blowing up in others. Quinn Holt (Utah Valley) did his part in not letting the pitching be a difference-maker, striking out seven in his five frames.
"I thought we've gotten timely hits over the last couple days," Landers said. "We pitched much better the last two days, and played really good defense."
Despite the success from Holt, Chatham found itself erasing the goose egg from the scoreboard in the seventh, starting with a Camelo Musacchia (Northeastern) walk. He advanced to second after a walk from Isaiah Lane (San Diego).
Musacchia advanced to third on a steal, then scored shortly after on a throwing error from Joshua Reed (Angelo State University) to cut the deficit to 6-1 for Chatham.
Will Whelan (Minnestoa) continued to do what he's done all season for Bourne, pitching a shutout 2 1/3 innings to seal the victory for the Braves in their second straight heading into the off-day.
"Overall, I'm pleased where we were at through that seven game stretch," Landers said. "We got to rest up and then get ready for the six games next week to end the season."
Bourne Braves Player of the Game
Holt provided life for the Braves in his second appearance pitching and first start, throwing five shutout innings where he totaled seven strikeouts and allowing just three hits.
Key moment
The grand slam off of the bat from Quatrani in the sixth was the difference in this one, giving Bourne four of its runs with one swing.
A look ahead
Bourne (16-16-2, 34 points) will return to action on Tuesday after an off-day on Monday to face Brewster (18-15-1, 37 points) at Stony Brook Field. The last time the two teams met, the Braves won, 7-2.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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