The Harwich Mariners traveled to Orleans to face the Firebirds Wednesday night for their second matchup of the season. Harwich beat the Firebirds June 19 at Whitehouse Field after a JP Peltier walk off. Harwich came into the game riding a two-game winning streak after wins against Falmouth and Wareham. It was an East Division showdown Wednesday with Harwich in second place and Orleans in last with a 5-10 record.

Riley Goodman got the start for the Mariners tonight. Goodman has been dominant in his first innings of action. The newest University of Georgia commit, has only allowed one run while striking out 14 to start the season.

The Mariners struck first in the top of the second inning. Kevin Milewski came to the plate with Ty Smolinski and Quinton Coats on base. The power bat ripped a ball down the third-base line to clear the bases for a two-run double.

Nate Castellon might be the hottest hitter on the Cape since arriving. The Cal Poly product racked up eight hits in his first 15 plate appearances. Castellon is currently batting .553 and has already driven in three RBI. One of Castellon's three hits tonight came in the fifth inning where he laced a ball up the middle to score Cade Kurland and extended the lead to 4-0.

Castellon credits the coaching staff at Cal Poly for his early success.

"I think it comes from my approach. I got my approach from our hitting guys at Cal Poly. They're special. Two years in a row we've done really well on the offensive side, and I think a lot of that has to do with the approach they teach us. I brought that approach here, and it's been working out for me. It's been awesome playing out here, too. Getting to face all these good arms with a wood bat really prepares you for the next level and for going back to college. When you go back to swinging a metal bat after facing guys this talented, it's going to be pretty special," said Castellon.

Castellon’s glove has been nothing short of lights-out. In the top of the sixth inning, Castellon sparked a routine double play to halt the Firebirds comeback.

Goodman’s first five innings of his start were mastery. Goodman only allowed one Firebird to reach base via hit. The Firebirds woke up in the top of the sixth inning after the No. 9 hitter, Casey Cumiskey left the yard to be the first player in the Cape to hit a home run off Goodman. Goodman’s control would struggle after walking two Firebirds.

Coach Englert relieved Goodman off his duties in the top of the sixth with two runners on base. The Mariners ace finished his third start going 5 ⅔ innings, allowing two hits, two walks and two strikeouts, and only one earned run.

Tyler Albanese came out of the bullpen to relieve Goodman. Despite being placed in a jam with two runners on, Albanese struck out the batter on three pitches to get out of the inning.

Christian Rodriguez entered into the bottom of the eighth inning to close out Orleans. The first batter Rodriguez faced he dropped a breaking ball low and in and forced a swing and a miss. The Firebird tried to make contact while avoiding getting hit, which forced a very awkward attempt.

Double Trouble

The Firebirds started an eighth inning comeback after Rodriguez after stringing two singles and a walk to load the bases. Orleans’ Bub Terrell came to the plate, the Auburn outfielder launched a ball to shallow right field. Mariners right fielder Jackson Hotchkiss mistracked the ball causing the routine single to clear the bases for Terrell's bases-clearing double. The fielding blunder catapulted the Firebirds back into the game only trailing 6-4.

Rodriguez wouldn't survive the inning. Coach Englert called Miguel Hugas in to slow the bleeding, despite walking two Firebirds and reloading the bases. Hugas was able to escape the inning with a groundout.

Hotchkiss didn't forget about his fielding blunder. In the top of the ninth with the Firebirds creeping back, Hotchkiss pushed a ball to deep right field where Orleans’ Bub Terrell tracked the ball hoping to make a home-run robbery. Instead the ball hit off Terrell's glove causing the ball to barely leave the field for a two-run home run and giving the Mariners an 8-4 lead. Terrell and Hotchkiss each shared a big-time hit as well as a fielding blunder leading to runs.

Hugas finished off the Firebirds in the bottom of the ninth on three straight put outs. The Mariners have now won three straight games and remain at second in the East Division with an 11-5 record. Coach Englert knows the next game is crucial for the standings. Brewster is currently right behind the Mariners in the division.

What's Next?

The Mariners will have Thursday off because they will be traveling to Boston for the annual Fenway Day. The Mariners will resume play on Friday, as they travel to Brewster to face the Whitecaps.

First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.