The Saturday night matchup between the Harwich Mariners and Wareham Gatemen started with a helicopter landing in center field to celebrate their annual First Responders Night. The Mariners came into this game riding a five-game win streak and tied with the best record in the league.

It was all Mariners in the first inning after the first three batters all got a hit. Shortstop Ty Smolinski drove in his middle infield partner Julio Solier to get Harwich on the board. Smolinski was able to pick up his sixth RBI of the season. After a Wareham wild pitch, Friday's hero, JP Peltier was able to steal home.

Jakob Schulz was the starter tonight for the Mariners. The left-handed pitcher showed great poise after allowing the leadoff batter to reach base before preserving the Mariner lead. Smolinski and Solier ended the inning after a routine 6-4-3 double play.

Harwich added to their lead in the top of the third after Smolinski got things started with his second hit of the game. Quinton Coats then laced a double to center field to put two runners into scoring position. After another wild pitch from Wareham, Smolinski was able to steal home to put Harwich up 3-0.

Schulz dominated during his first start of the year. He retired the last eight Gatemen he faced, finishing with zero earned runs, two hits, zero walks, and striking out four. The Houston commit has now pitched six innings in the Cape League and allowed only one run.

The Gatemen were able to get on the board in the bottom of the fifth after having their first multi-hit inning of the game. With the bases loaded and one out Wareham's Foster Apple was able to hit a ground ball to short that scored a run. Bryan Matuschat limited the damage to one run.

Matuschat battled and trusted his defense behind him to strike out a likely comeback.

Ryan Taffe came in to continue the strong pitching performance from Schulz and Matuschat. Taffe only allowed one run in the two innings he pitched. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Taffe got drilled on his calf by a hard hit comebacker. Taffe stayed in the game and finished the inning strong.

Ninth-Inning Rally

Up 2 and three outs away, Peyton Soske came in for the save opportunity. Wareham's bats could not be stopped in the final frame. The Gatemen went on to tie the game after a Tony Lira two RBI single. After drilling a Gatemen, Soske’s night was over. The Mariners then called in new arm Jason Finkelstein to maybe salvage extra innings. After the force out at home to keep the Mariners alive, Wareham's Coen Niclai came to the plate with the bases loaded. Niclai ended the game after crushing a Grand Slam to center field to walk off the red-hot Mariners.

Key Plays

Wareham’s Linkin Garcia came to the plate with runners on first and second. Garcia hit a line drive to third baseman JP Peltier. Peltier went on to make a diving play and sparked the inning-ending double play.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Wareham's Tony Lira poked a ball to shallow right fielder. Ryan Gerety laid out and made the diving catch. Gerety was recently nominated for a collegiate Gold Glove Award.

What's Next?

The Mariners are back at home tomorrow to host the 6-1 Y-D Red Sox. Harwich will look to bounce back after dropping their first meeting on Opening Day.

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