FALMOUTH, Mass. – Gavin Kilen (Tennessee) crushed a 405-foot homer to clock in two runs for the Falmouth Commodores to secure a 7-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh to help lead them to victory over the Wareham Gatemen on Sunday.
“We're coming together as a team and as an offense we have one approach,” Kilen said. “We're trying to score a lot of runs and play for each other. We got pulled aside by our coaches, they grabbed us and were like, ‘you know we can do a little bit more,’ and we've been executing and doing that.”
Reese Chapman (Tennessee) picked up an RBI single to get Wareham on the board first, 1-0, in the top of the first. Scott Mudler (Oklahoma) had a response with a double and two RBI in the bottom of the second to give Falmouth a 2-1 lead.
The third through fifth innings were defensive showdowns. The Gatemen and Commodores each allowed one hit and no runs were recorded.
The scoring drought for Wareham was snapped in the top of the sixth thanks to a single from Sam White (West Virginia) to send Murf Gray (Fresno State) home to tie the game at 2-2. Jaden Noot (LSU) relieved Falmouth starting pitcher Sean Brennan (Keystone) after the run was scored.
Noot cleaned up with a strikeout to close out the top of the sixth. The Commodores’ offense loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth when Donovan LaSalle (Oklahoma State) picked up a walk.
A sac fly from Mudler allowed Trent Caraway (Oregon State) to put up a run to award Falmouth its lead back, 3-2. Isaiah Barkett (Stetson) hit a triple to earn a pair of RBI for the first time this summer to extend the Commodores to a 5-2 lead to round out the bottom of the sixth.
Kilen kept the momentum moving for Falmouth in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run homer at 100 mph into right field to extend to a five-run lead, 7-2. Gavin Willhelm (Washburn) closed out another Commodores win with a 1-2-3 putaway on the Gatemen in the top of the ninth.
“He was showing me a lot of fastballs, and he's more of a cutter guy, so I'm always looking to hit fastball,” Kilen explained. “I'm just looking middle in, and I got my pitch and I hit pretty good.”
The Commodores (11-18) have an off day on Monday but will return to play on Tuesday at Veterans Field to take on the Chatham Anglers (16-14) with the first pitch set for 7 p.m.
Righty Mac Heuer (Texas Tech) is the projected starting pitcher for Falmouth. He has a 0.00 ERA and has appeared in two innings this summer. Heuer is 0-0 and his last start was against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks on July 17, when the Commodores went on to win, 3-2.
Righty Tyler Murphy (FAU) is the projected starting pitcher for Chatham. He has a 1.62 ERA and has appeared in 5 1/3 innings this summer. Murphy is 1-0 and his last appearance was against the Bourne Braves on July 17, when the Anglers went on to win, 8-4.
You can get live game updates on Instagram and X @FalCommodores or tune in to the live radio broadcast featuring Aiden Blanc and MJ Newsom on YouTube @FalmouthCommodores.
Photo credit: Nate Gardner
