The Harwich Mariners dropped their second straight road game on Thursday night at McKeon Park, falling by a score of 5-2 to the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. The Mariners struggled to get the bats going Thursday night, and two innings of potent offense for Hyannis solidified its victory.
A three-run second inning for Hyannis proved to be all it needed offensively to scrape past the Mariners.
After a scoreless first inning on the bump for Bryan Arendt (UNC Wilmington) in his first career pitching appearance, Harwich manager Steve Englert turned to the bullpen, bringing in Jacob Frost (Kansas State).
Frost struggled from the get-go, walking the first two batters he faced. With two on and no outs in the inning, Hyannis second baseman Eric Snow ripped a single to left field, driving in Mason White. Frost got the next two batters out, but Kane Kepley stroked a base hit to right field, driving in both runners on base and vanquishing any chance of Frost limiting the damage.
Frost settled in as he pitched the next three innings, not allowing any more runs. He finished his outing with four Ks.
Trailing 5-0 going into the top of the ninth inning, Harwich attempted to rally back. Cam Maldonado (Northeastern) and Macon Winslow (Duke) reached base with one out, giving Harwich veteran Bryan Arendt a chance to do some damage. Arendt made the most of his at-bat, as he ripped a double down the left field line that drove in Maldonado and advanced Winslow to third.
Robbie Burnett (Georgia) then grounded out to third, which drove in Winslow, but now with two outs, the rally proved to be too little too late as Bristol Carter (East Carolina) grounded out to end the game.
The Mariners will be back at Whitehouse Field on Friday night for the first time since Monday. First pitch against Falmouth is at 6:30 p.m.
