The Harwich Mariners extended their winning streak to two games on Tuesday night, routing the reigning Cape Cod Baseball League champion Bourne Braves by a score of 10-1. Backed by a potent offensive performance that consisted of 10 runs on 13 hits, Harwich was easily able to pick up its first win at Whitehouse Field of the 2024 season.
Michael Anderson (Rhode Island) has emerged as the breakout star of this Mariner team early in the season, showing out once again on Tuesday night. The rising junior out of URI was 4-5 and clobbered his second home run of the season to take the solo lead in the league in the category.
In just 15 at-bats this season, Anderson has tallied nine RBI, driving in a third of the total runs the team has scored through four games.
Harwich skipper Steve Englert had only good things to say about Anderson after the game.
“He has a great approach, and he goes about his business the right way,” Englert said. “He’s always working on his swing. He goes out there and gets in the box and has an understanding of what he’s trying to do. He looks for pitches in certain counts and does damage.”
Coming from a mid-major school, the adjustment to the top-tier pitching in the CCBL has been seamless for Anderson. He has worked on his approach at the plate as Englert alluded to, and is focused on spraying the ball across the field.
“Just learning that you can’t hit every pitch, sometimes you’ve got to maybe take a strike, maybe even take two to get the pitch you’re looking for,” Anderson said of his approach at the plate. “That’s a big thing I’ve learned, you’re not always going to get that middle-middle fastball, it’s not realistic. Just got to go up there with a plan and stick to it.”
Although Anderson did the most individual damage Tuesday night, production came for the Mariners throughout the lineup. Bristol Carter (East Carolina) was another standout for Harwich, going 3-5 and scoring three of the M’s 10 runs.
“Two strike approach, putting the ball in play, we got some two out knocks,” Englert said. “Everybody’s contributing which is great. When you can get [batters] 1-9 contributing you’re probably going to have some success.”
Although the offense was the story of the game, the Mariners’ pitching staff remained consistent, limiting Bourne’s scoring chances all night.
“When you can get length out of the starters, and you can save your bullpen, that’s big,” Englert said. “The whole key is just throwing strikes and staying ahead and that’s what we’re doing right now.”
“The first time around you get those first game jitters, getting them out of the way. Now that guys are starting to get out on the mound and starting to get a feel for what they’re trying to do and getting comfortable, bumping the rust off, they’re starting to get some confidence, that’s the key right now.”
The Mariners will enjoy their first off day tomorrow before taking the field again on Thursday, right back at Whitehouse Field to take on Cotuit for the second time this season. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.
