Harwich wasted no time putting a crooked number on the scoreboard Monday night. A day after scoring six runs in the final four innings, the Mariners put up the same figure in the first two innings against the Cotuit Kettleers. The early spark put Cotuit down early and four Harwich pitchers combined for the shutout, giving the Mariners their second straight win, 6-0.
Harwich carried its late-game momentum into the early innings against the Kettleers.
“We got a couple dirt-ball reads. Some timely hits and productive outs,” Harwich field manager Steve Englert said. “Jumping on them early was nice.”
Left fielder Niko Brini led the game with a triple, giving the Mariners a man in scoring position just minutes into the game. He scored one batter later after his fellow outfielder Tre Broussard grounded out into a fielder’s choice.
Two batters later, Maddox Molony drove in Eric Becker with a RBI single to give Harwich its second run.
One inning later, Harwich scrapped some runs by playing team baseball. With the bases loaded, Broussard recorded his second RBI with another fielder’s choice groundout. Becker followed him with a sacrifice fly to left field.
With the bases mostly cleared and just Brini on third, Molony stepped to the plate looking to keep the line moving.
Molony worked to a full count. With the payoff pitch, the Oregon Duck capped the early scoring run with a two-run shot to left field, the first Mariner home run at Whitehouse Field of the season.
Adding two singles to his leadoff triple, Brini had a hit in each of the first three innings. Through four games, the Wofford product is in the middle of every Harwich win, whether in the field or at the plate.
“I was happy to get the first one,” the Massachusetts native said. “You have to make the game fun. The more fun you have the better you play.”
“He’s a scrap dog,” Englert said. “The biggest thing for me when writing up a lineup is the trust factor. You know what your getting out of that kid every single night.”
Tyler Wolff had another great day at the plate for the second straight game. With hits in his first three trips to the plate, the first baseman recorded hits in five straight at-bats, starting with his home run the previous night.
Pitching continues scoreless streak
While the offense finds its consistency, the Harwich pitching staff continues to roll out strong arm after strong arm. Dating back to the loss against Hyannis, the Mariners tossed 23 scoreless innings. Nine different pitchers have contributed to the streak.
Ryan Reich and Gianni Gambardella each pitched three innings for Harwich, combining for five strikeouts and allowing just three hits.
Cooper Harrington pitched two innings in relief, striking out four. His energy on the mound earned praise from his manager.
“He has a tremendous demeanor,” Englert said. “He’s just goes out there and gets after people.”
Cotuit made one last push in the ninth against pitcher Harrison Wilson. The Kettleers loaded the bases with two outs before the Winthrop righty struck out Case Sanderson to end the game.
“Our bullpen did a great job,” Englert said. “Especially since those guys haven’t pitched yet. For them to come in and do what they did is impressive."
The Mariners head to Fenway Park on Wednesday to show off their skills in front of MLB scouts. The team returns home Thursday to play Wareham at 6:30 p.m.
