In a 12-6 loss to the Wareham Gatemen, Hyannis Harbor Hawks infielder Chris Rembert crushed throughout the contest. The Harbor Hawks’ (3-2-1, 2-1 West Division) hottest hitter went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs batted in, one run scored and showed appreciation for where he put on an electric offensive display.
“It feels different, the atmosphere is a little different [than Auburn],” Rembert said. “This is awesome.”
After a Myles Bailey single, Rembert stepped up with two runners on in the bottom of the first. Facing Gatemen (3-3, 1-2 West Division) right-hander Daniel Powell, the Auburn infielder battled to run the count full after three close misses by the Kennesaw State pitcher.
On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Rembert barreled a pitch down the center of the zone. The ball was labeled deep to right-center field and resoundingly deflected off the base of the light tower past the fence, drawing a massive applause from the Hyannis crowd.
“We knew he was a special player when we got him,” Harbor Hawks manager Mitch Karraker said. “Now he’s showing everybody else how good he is.”
This was his first home run of the season with the Hyannis, traveling 372 feet and coming off the bat at 97 miles per hour. Though this three-run shot accounted for all of the runs Rembert scored and batted in, he continued to put pressure on Wareham’s defense throughout the game.
The Pensacola, Florida, native displayed his power again in his second plate appearance. After battling around four pitches on the edges of the zone from Powell, Rembert crushed a ball in the heart of the plate, sending it deep into the left-center field gap for a double.
This two-bagger moved Jaxon Willits up to third base, where he eventually scored on a wild pitch, giving the Harbor Hawks a 4-3 lead in the third inning. Rembert moved up to third on the play, but ultimately couldn’t be knocked in.
Two innings later, the All-SEC second team member wasted no time getting on base with the home team now trailing 7-5. Rembert was aggressive on the first pitch, firing a model line drive up the middle for a base hit.
After an incredible leaping play by Shamaar McDuffie to retire Ryan McKay, Rembert put himself in scoring position by stealing first base. In his freshman season with the Tigers, the usual second baseman had six successful steals on 10 attempts.
Rembert was held up at third after a single by Hayden Federico and again was stranded 90 feet from scoring at the end of the inning.
With the score still locked at a 7-5 Gatemen lead in the seventh, Rembert followed a walk by Bailey with a sharp ground ball single into left field. McKay loaded the bags with a single, followed immediately by a run-denying double-play.
Rembert moved up to third base, but was left a station away from scoring for the third time in a row.
In his final plate appearance, the Freshman All-American drew a walk and was cut down on a fielder's choice one at-bat later. Though Rembert’s impressive showing at the plate couldn’t will the Harbor Hawks to a win, the individual display of immense talent was outstanding.
In addition to his exceptional offensive performance, Rembert played left field. This is an uncommon position for him as the everyday second baseman at Auburn with a sparing nine appearances in right field throughout the spring. Rembert made no errors and held his ground well in new territory.
While Rembert attempts to continue his hot streak at the plate, Hyannis will try to get back in the win column against at Lowell Park against the Cotuit Kettleers on June 21 at 5 p.m.
Tymothy Brown can be reached at tymbrown12@gmail.com and followed on X @tym_brown1
