Prior to Sunday's regular season finale, the Mariners announced the four recipients of their 2024 year-end awards. The quartet of Cade Kurland (Florida), Matt Scannell (Princeton/Wake Forest), Ryan DeSanto (Saint Joseph's/Penn State) and Cam Maldonado (Northeastern) were recognized for their efforts on- and off-the-field this summer for the Harwich franchise.
Kurland was the team's 2024 George Lane Sportsmanship Award winner. George Lane was a vital member of the Mariners’ family throughout the 1970’s and 80’s. He was remembered fondly for his passion for the game of baseball and his loyalty to the Harwich Mariners and Cape Cod Baseball League. This award goes to a player, who consistently led the team’s efforts on the field, in the dugout and in the community. A CCBL All Star, Kurland finished the regular season with a .257 batting average to go along with five doubles, two home runs, 13 RBIs and seven stolen bases over 27 appearances as a middle infielder.
The next award that was given out was the 2024 Fred Ebbett 10th Player of the Year to Scannell. Fred Ebbett was an impactful member of the Harwich High School, Harwich Mariners and CCBL organizations for over four decades. The Mariners’ manager during the 1970s and later the commissioner of the CCBL, Ebbett was versatile asset to every organization. This award goes to a player, who showcased an ability throughout the season to thrive in whatever situation was put in front of him. The soon-to-be grad transfer to Wake Forest returned to the Mariners for his second season and has blossomed as the unofficial "team captain." After his 2023 season ended unceremoniously due to a broken hamate bone, Scannell has been the ultimate team-first player in 2024. Originally signed this offseason as a temp, on the field he's bounced between 1B, CF, LF and RF, while fighting his way out of an 0-18 slump to start the season and an .080 mark through the end of June. At the conclusion of the regular season, he grinded his way to an eventual .205 batting average with five extra-base hits, 14 RBIs, eight steals and numerous web-gem worthy defensive plays around the field, including a team-high three outfield assists over 33 contests.
The third award that was handed out was the 2024 Al Graeber Outstanding Pitcher Award to DeSanto. The Mariners’ beloved PA announcer from 1971 to 1993, the press box here at Whitehouse Field now bares his name. To honor his exceptional legacy and commitment to the Mariners, the organization’s best pitcher is given the Al Graeber Outstanding Pitcher Award. DeSanto led the team with six games started and a miniscule 0.99 WHIP over 24 innings pitched, while striking out 20 batters and holding opponents to a .222 batting average. The southpaw was selected to start Harwich's win-or-go-home playoff game on Tuesday at Chatham and hurled three scoreless innings to help the Mariners win and advance to the Eastern Divisional Finals.
Maldonado was the recipient of Harwich's Marty McDonough Most Valuable Player Award. One of the founding fathers of the Harwich Mariners’ organization, McDonough led the club on the field as a manager in the 1930’s and was later an integral part of the Cape Cod baseball scene as an umpire. This award is given to the team’s most valuable player annually. Maldonado led the team with 22 runs scored, 5 home runs, 24 RBIs and 13 stolen bases, while hitting .258 and slugging .427 over 124 at bats.
Additionally, Maldonado was recognized by the league as the 2024 John J. Claffey Outstanding New England Player of the Year.
