The Hyannis Harbor Hawks fell to the Chatham Anglers, 9-1, on Father’s Day at McKeon Park.
Hyannis struggled to generate offense throughout the night, managing just two baserunners over the first six innings. Chatham’s defense helped preserve the lead, turning three double plays that erased quality Hyannis scoring opportunities.
Manager Mitch Karraker pointed to fundamentals as the difference.
“Fundamental baseball was the difference tonight,” Karraker said. “They threw more strikes than we did. We got behind in counts, and free bases ended up showing up. Defensively, we didn’t play as well as they did. In all three phases, it felt like we got dominated. We just need to flush it and get ready for the next one.”
Hyannis starter Easton Barrett (Arizona State) lasted three innings, surrendering two earned runs on five hits before Karraker turned to the bullpen.
The Hawks used six relievers over the final six innings, with each pitcher working one inning as the coaching staff evaluated its options.
Karraker said the score and Monday’s scheduled off day gave the Hawks flexibility in how they utilized the bullpen.
“It just kind of worked out that way,” Karraker said. “The score kind of dictated our bullpen usage a little bit. With the day off tomorrow, there was a little flexibility. We were trying to get some guys’ feet wet. I thought Raymond Olivas was really good when he went out there.”
Chatham wasted no time getting on the scoreboard Sunday night. After two of the first three batters reached base, first baseman Harlin Hovater lined an RBI single down the right-field line, scoring left fielder Bino Watters and giving the Anglers a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
Designated hitter Conner Shouse advanced to third on the play.
One batter later, shortstop Cooper Neville drove in Shouse with a sacrifice fly to center field, extending Chatham’s lead to 2-0.
The Anglers added another run in the second inning. After Barrett struck out the first two batters, center fielder Kaiden Dossa doubled to center. Right fielder Rob Rispoli followed with an RBI infield single to third, bringing home Dossa and pushing Chatham’s advantage to 3-0.
The scoring resumed in the fourth inning courtesy of a Hyannis fielding error. With two outs and runners on first and second after a pair of walks, Rispoli lined a ball to left-center field that Tanner Chun misplayed. The error allowed both Dossa and Reynolds to score, widening the Anglers’ lead to 5-0.
Chatham and Hyannis traded runs in the seventh inning. Hovater grounded into a 4-6-3 double play that allowed Watters to score from third.
The Hawks answered in the bottom half of the inning when designated hitter Caden Miller (Texas-San Antonio) launched his second home run of the season on a line drive to right-center, cutting the deficit to 6-1.
Chatham continued to add on in the final two innings. With two runners on in the eighth, Shouse recorded his third hit of the game, bringing home Reynolds and Rispoli.
Neville hit his first home run of the season in the ninth, providing the final run of the game and giving the Anglers a 9-1 victory — their fourth consecutive win.
Hyannis is off tomorrow and will use the day to regroup before welcoming the Harwich Mariners to town Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
“I told the guys to enjoy the day off and mentally regroup before Tuesday,” Karraker said. “Physically, we just have to make sure we’re taking care of our bodies because we still have a long way to go this summer.”
