The Falmouth Commodores ended their season with a hard fought 6-5 extra inning loss against the Bourne Braves on Sunday. The Commodores were able to overcome an early deficit, but were not able to come back in extra innings losing the game and a playoff spot. The Commodores did not get the start they wanted in this matchup. In the top of the first with a runner on first, the second batter of the game blasted a home run to left. Two batters later, following a walk, the Braves hit another two run home run to left field. After the first half inning the score is 4-0. In the bottom of the second the score was cut in half with one swing of the bat. After an error got a runner on base the second baseman Caleb Hamilton (Oregon State) hit a home run to left field. The score was 4-2 after two innings. The slugging continued in the bottom of the third inning. Right fielder Heath Quinn (Samford) smacked a no doubt about it home run to left field, closing the gap to one run. The Commodores loaded the bases with one out, but a double play ended the inning with the 4-3 score. The Braves were able to continue the slug fest in the top of the fifth. With one out the Braves batter hit a ball deep over the center field fence, and the score was 5-3. Once again the Commodores were able to score in the bottom of the fifth inning. Heath Quinn hit another home run to left field, a solo shot that set the score at 5-4.
In the bottom of the eighth inning the Commodores appeared to be in a threatening position. There were runners on first and second with one out for JJ Matijevic (Arizona), who finished the season with a 21 game hitting streak. Matijevic worked the count to three and two before he struck out on a high fastball. The next batter, Logan Ice (Oregon State) also struck out and ended the inning. In the ninth inning the Commodores got a baserunner with one out from a walk for Heath Quinn. The next batter, left fielder Boomer White (Texas A&M), hit a fly ball to center field that the fielder lost in the lights, and landed well over his head for a double. With runners on second and third and one out shortstop Tristan Gray (Rice) hit a deep fly ball to center that was caught, scoring Quinn and tying the game. Going into extra innings the score was 5-5.
The top of the tenth inning began with a single to left field. Two outs and a walk later the lead runner was at third base when the relief pitcher Wyatt Short (Ole Miss) threw a ball in the dirt that skiipped past catcher Evan Skoug (TCU) and allowed the run to score. Going into the bottom of the tenth the score was 6-5. In the bottom of the tenth the center fielder JB Woodman (Ole Miss) was able to hit a one out double to left center field, injecting life back into the Commodores. JJ Matijevic, with a runner on second, struck out on three pitches. With the Commodores down to their final out Logan Ice hit a ground ball to first base, where the first baseman fielded it and threw it to the pitcher to end the year.
Despite the loss coach Jeff Trundy was impressed with the drive the team showed after the rough first inning. “The game just reflected the drive, and the never say die attitude that the team has had all season long and I always dread the end of the season because of the strong relationships that are built here,” Coach Trundy said. This loss puts an end to an incredible playoff run for the Commodores. Falmouth was able to win three games in a row, scoring 35 runs and getting within one game of the playoffs in the process. The Commodores ended their season with 16 wins, 27 losses and a tie. For the last time in the 2015 season; for more information about the Commodores visit their website at http://www.falmouthcommodores.com.
