The Harwich Mariners traveled to Brewster Friday to face the Whitecaps for their first meeting of the season. Brewster and Harwich enter the game as the top three teams in the league via the Cape Cod League power rankings. The Mariners entered the game riding a three-game winning streak with their last game against Orleans ending in a 8-4 victory Wednesday night.

It was the hottest day in The Cape so far this summer with temperatures topping 95 degrees.

Jackson Peavy got the start for the Mariners Friday. Peavy is a very young arm who has pitched fewer than 10 innings at Georgia and Cape Cod League combined. Through 4 ⅔ innings in the Cape league, Peavy has a perfect 0 ERA and has four strikeouts on opponents.

Peavy’s 4 ⅔ inning start was special. The young arm only allowed one hit during his shutout start. Peavy has now pitched seven innings in the Cape and hasn't allowed a single earned run. Coach Englert didn't need to see a lot of game film to know he is a special talent.

"He came up here, and I know he didn't pitch a lot, but the stuff is there. It's just a confidence thing. He needs to pitch and get some seasoning, and he's slowly but surely getting there. That was an impressive performance by him. I was proud of him," said Coach Englert.

The Mariners struck first in the top of the third inning. Colin Larson laid down a perfect bunt down first-base line that got by the Whitecaps middle infielders. Instead of taking the free base, Larson used heads up baserunning to stretch it into a bunt double.

Nate Castellon then poked a single into left field to score Larson to take the lead 1-0.

Quinton Coats had his first three-hit day for the Mariners today. With runs coming at an absolute premium the strong bat was able to come through for the Mariners.

"I just had to shrink my zone, know where a pitch needs to end up for me to swing at it. Recently, I felt like my eyes had gotten a little big, so I tightened that zone and focused on being on time so I could get the right pitch. I feel like that's what's worked for me my entire collegiate career, and I just have to keep that rolling," said Coats.

Heavy on the Basepaths

The Mariners added to their lead in the top of the fourth inning after a Quinton Coats double. Coats, known for being a power bat for the Mariners, was able to catch the Whitecaps’ catcher off guard and steal third, putting the second run of the game 90 feet away. Sean O’Leary would soon bring home Coats on an RBI single.

O’Leary and Chone James also picked up steals during the Friday night’s matchup. Coats, James, and O’Leary entered the game combining for two steals the entire season. Coach Englert continues to prove that he will send any Mariner on base.

No Fly Zone

In the bottom of the eighth inning trailing 2-0 with one runner on base, Brewster’s Brody DeLamielleure came to the plate hoping to get the Whitecaps back into the game. DeLamielleure launched a ball to left field to an almost impossible spot for left fielder Ryan Gerety to get to. Gerety laid out for the ball and spoiled a probable Whitecaps run.

Close Call

In the bottom of the ninth inning leading by one run, Harwich turned to Jason Flores to finish the job. Flores gave up a leadoff single to Brewsters' Jacob Lee. Flores then walked the next batter on five pitches. With two runners on and no outs the Mariners were in a major jam. Flores went on to retire the next three Whitecaps and end the game. A sharp liner caught by Sean O’Leary was the final out. Flores was able to keep great composure to give the Mariners their fourth win in a row.

"The biggest thing for me is to stay in control no matter what happens. Stay in control no matter what and just compete," said Flores.

What's Next?

The Mariners are back at Whitehouse Field Saturday the second game of the Mariners vs. Whitecaps home-and-home series.

First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.