HARWICH, Mass. — Coming off of a league-wide off-day, both Bourne and Harwich struck early with the long ball.

As both teams look to solidify themselves in a comfortable spot and reach the playoffs next week, it was a pair of two-run home runs from both sides that had it tied at 2-2 early.

Then a pitching duel commenced, and after a scoreless stretch, it was the Mariners that came out with a three-run seventh, leading them to a 4-2 win.

Bourne struck first in the second inning, starting with Cal Sefcik (Cincinnati) reaching second on a double down the right field line. He advanced to third on a groundout put in play by Drew Wyers (Mississippi State).

With the Braves having their first runner in scoring position of the game, they cashed in. When Gavin Kelly (West Virginia) stepped up to the plate, he delivered, sending a scorching 394-foot home run over the left field fence to give Bourne a 2-0 lead.

Harwich answered right back in the frame, getting a runner on via a bunt single from Carson Kerce (Georgia Tech) that resulted in miscommunication from Matthew Shorey (Vanderbilt) coming from the mound, Braden Holcomb (Vanderbilt) crashing from third base and Kelly behind the plate.

Kerce scored shortly after, as Ryan Martin (Dallas Baptist) poked one over the wall to knot the score up at 2-2.

It became a pitchers' duel from that point on, as following a single given up to Brody DeLamielleure (Florida State), Shorey retired the following 10 batters before getting pulled for Landon White (Bryant) in the seventh.

The same thing happened on the other side, as Duncan Marsten (Wake Forest) was dialed in for the Mariners, throwing six innings himself, giving up just the two-run home run before tossing four scoreless frames.

Brewster had a scoring opportunity in the seventh with a walk from Dalton Wentz (Wake Forest). He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kerce, and after Martin was hit by a pitch, the tandem advanced on a wild pitch from White.

Then the Mariners cashed in, as Cal Fisher (Florida State) pieced a two-run single to give Harwich a 4-2 advantage.

Bourne had an opportunity in the eighth, as Kade Lewis (Wake Forest) reached second after he and Holcomb walked, but Ryker Waite (Vanderbilt) couldn't cash anybody in.

Landon O'Donnell (State College of Florida) came in for the Mariners in the ninth, retiring the Braves to give his squad a 4-2 win.

Bourne Braves Player of the Game

Shorey continued to be one of the most consistent pitchers Bourne has had this summer, as outside of the two-run home run given up in the second he pitched well once again. He finished his day striking out seven Mariners in his six innings tossed, allowing three hits and the pair of runs.

Key moment

The Braves' bullpen once again gave up crucial runs late, as Landon White had three runs given up when he entered in the seventh, which in turn propelled the Mariners to victory.

A look ahead

Bourne (16-17-2, 34 points) will face Wareham (19-16, 38 points) at Doran Park on Wednesday. The last time the two teams met, Bourne won, 9-8.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Keep up to date with the Braves

Sign up for our newsletter here to keep up with all things Bourne Braves during the summer!