The Harwich Mariners traveled to Brewster to face the Whitecaps for Game 1 of the first round of the Cape Cod Baseball League playoffs. The Mariners lost the season series to the Whitecaps 3-2. Harwich entered the game going 4-6 in their last ten games with the Whitecaps going 6-4. In last year's playoffs, the Mariners walked off the Whitecaps in the first round after a wild throw to first after a sacrifice bunt in game three.

Jason Flores was the starter for the Mariners Tuesday. Flores has made two starts for the Mariners, having a 1-1 record. In 14 ⅔ innings of work, Flores has notched a 4.91 ERA with 17 strikeouts.

The Whitecaps called two-way player Blaine Brown to start the playoffs for them. Despite hitting 97-mph fastball, Brown was done after 1 ⅓ innings of work after sustaining an injury. After walking the first two batters in the top of the second inning, the Whitecaps were able to get out of the jam and hold the score 0-0.

Brewster’s Dane Harvey almost gave the Whitecaps the first run in the bottom of the second inning after launching a ball to deep right field. Colin Larson tracked the ball all the way to the fence and leaped up to make the home run robbery grab.

"I just tracked the ball the whole way. I knew the wind was blowing out a little bit, so I figured it was going to carry more than I expected. Then I heard Micah counting me down at the fence, felt the warning track, jumped up and timed it well," said Larson.

The pitching duel lasted six innings with the score at a stalemate of 0-0.

Jason Flores pitched a gem for the Mariners Tuesday, throwing five straight innings of shutout baseball. Despite Brewster loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning, Flores battled to strike out Whitecaps star catcher Jacob Lee. Flores ended his outing only giving up two hits and striking out nine Whitecaps.

"I was just staying confident and trusting my stuff. My biggest thing today was just having fun out there and competing," said Flores.

The Mariners offense took off in the top of the seventh inning, Cade Kurland leadoff single would be followed by a perfect bunt by designated hitter Brayden Jaksa. Brewster's Dane Harvey missed the slow rolling bunt right under his glove which allowed Jaksa to reach base safely.

JP Peltier gave Harwich the first run of the game after dropping another single to Harvey. Harvey again couldn't field the ball which scored Kurland and allowed Peltier to be safe at first.

Quinton Coats kept the offense rolling after hitting a high bouncer to the Brewsters middle infield. Brewster’s Will Baker jumped to field the ground ball but didn't properly close his glove allowing the ball to reach the shallow outfield and scored Jaksa.

A wild pitch by Brewster’s Zach Kmatz would score Peltier and be the third Mariner to cross home in the top of the seventh.

The top of the eighth inning brought another run to Harwich's side. With runners on first and second, Sean O’Leary came to the plate and pulled a pitch down the right field line. Kurland’s speed at second was able to score another run and give the Mariners a 4-0.

TJ Ziermann was tasked to close out the hottest team in Cape Cod. Four innings of work resulted in only one hit for the Whitecaps and four strikeouts. Ziermann was given the win and the Mariners are one win away from the semifinals.

The Whitecaps had the Mariner’s number all season outscoring them 29-6 in the regular season series. Tuesday was a completely different story, the Mariners took advantage of runners in scoring position and stayed composed when Brewster was looking to strike.

"We were getting no-hit for a while, but our guys just kept grinding. I don't think we'd bunted twice all season, and then we laid down three in one game. That's postseason baseball. You have to do whatever you can to win," said Coach Steve Englert.

What’s Next?

The Harwich Mariners will host the Brewster Whitecaps looking for the series sweep.

First pitch set for 6:30 p.m.