The Harwich Mariners are back to the diamond after their scheduled game with the Cotuit Kettleers was suspended Tuesday because of heavy rain. The 13-6 Mariners traveled to Brewster to face the 12-6 Whitecaps. This was the third meeting between the two teams with each team picking up a win on the road. Harwich is coming off a 3-2 walk-off win against the Chatham Anglers.
Riley Goodman was the starter for the Mariners today. Goodman has started three games so far for the Mariners earning a 1.23 ERA through 14 ⅔ innings. Goodman is coming off an impressive start at Orleans where the righty pitched 5 ⅔ innings, allowing a single run and striking out two Firebirds.
The Whitecaps struck first in the bottom of the second inning after Brewster’s Dane Harvey pulled a ball down the left field line for a solo home run. That would be Harvey's third home run of the season. A Pete Daniel groundout RBI would add to the Whitecaps lead 2-0, going into the third inning.
Brewster added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Holden Pantier came to the plate with two runners on base. Pantier lifted a ball to deep right-center field and cleared the bases, making the score 4-0. The Walters State product is currently batting .500 through his first 12 at-bats.
Peyton Soske had 2 ⅓ innings of work out of the bullpen for the Mariners today. Soske started off hot, retiring the first five batters via strikeout. Soske only allowed one run after a Edward Yamin RBI double. The right-hander finished allowing four hits, one walk, and six strikeouts. Soske appeared the last time Harwich played at Brewster and pitched one scoreless inning. Soske found success with his two main pitches: his sinker and slider.
"I think just hammering the zone, getting my sinker and slider, my bread and butter, in the zone. Just trying to force ground balls and make them put it in play," said Soske.
There was a new face for the Mariners today. Brayden Jaksa was in the lineup today as the designated hitter. Jaksa was an All-American by Baseball American this season for the Oregon Ducks. Jaksa had one of the Mariners five hits tonight after a single to right field.
The Whitecaps added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth after two doubles to give Brewster an 8-0 lead. The Mariners were never able to string together runs tonight after every hard contact hit would result in a flyout.
"We just couldn't come up with a big hit. That was the whole difference in the game. I know the score wasn't as big as it could've been, but we had a lot of good-quality at-bats. It was an interesting ballgame today. We'll get back at it tomorrow," said Coach Englert.
What's Next?
The Mariners will travel to Cotuit Thursday to face the Kettleers for their third matchup this season.
First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
