The fireworks for the Commodores (8-9-1) started the night before America’s 250th birthday in a 14-run showing on Friday, and continued to illuminate the sky heading into the July 4th holiday.
Everyone in attendance at Lowell Park was able to view the sparks fly across the afternoon sky in a 10-6 victory over rival Cotuit (5-11-2), capping the first Fourth of July series sweep for the Commodores since 2022.
It took Falmouth a bit longer to get on the board – not too much longer though, it found a pair in the top of the second after a Ryder Woodson (Mississippi State) base hit and a Cotuit fielding error. Anthony Diaz (Missouri) roped a two-run single, sending the first shot across the bow of the Kettleers.
Cotuit’s reply came in the form of an RBI double off the bat of Jayce Lee (Notre Dame) in the bottom half of the inning, cutting its deficit in half, but a pair of walks and a Ben Slanker (Louisville) single reestablished the two-run Commodore lead in the third.
A pair of Kettleer singles from Aiden Aguyao (UCLA) and Brady Christman (Georgia Southern) drew them closer, as they went into the fourth down 3-2, but Falmouth began to create some real distance with three scores in the fourth. A trio of free passes loaded the bases, a hit batsman and a two-RBI Riley Jackson (Kentucky) single brought all three baserunners home to make it 6-2.
Austin Mallee (transfer portal) and Fabio Peralta (Miami) slapped singles to score a pair of runs in the sixth and seventh, respectively, to give the ‘Dores an eight-run lead before the seventh inning stretch. Cotuit added another in the bottom half of the seventh and three in the eighth, but it was too little, too late for the Kettleer offense that eventually fell to a stellar Commodore pitching performance, led by five scoreless innings by Ryan Castillo (New Mexico) – the first Falmouth starter to get a win this season.
“That’s pretty cool, I had no idea” said Castillo, when he learned of the feat. “Getting deep into the game, giving a team a chance was my biggest goal, for sure.”
Castillo got the wheels churning in the first inning after a sensational catch from Diaz, snaring a line drive off the right-center field grass.
“That's my guy. I watched him do it all year,” he said. “Missouri's getting a heck of a dude. I'm very happy for him.”
At the end of the July 4th festivities, Castillo took some time to soak in the magic that is the Cape Cod Baseball League, saying “this is an unbelievable experience. I was able to play with and against guys that I've probably would have never met before… I'm just very honored to be out here.”
The Fourth of July was one to remember for Falmouth, who remains tied with Bourne in first place of the West Division. The two teams face off on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
