Game 1: Gatemen at Firebirds - 12:00 PM

The Orleans Firebirds got themselves back to the garden one last time on Sunday. Two seven-inning contests would see them take on the Wareham Gatemen at noon for the earliest game of the summer, and then Falmouth to end the season that evening.

The Gatemen still needed a win. With one, they’d secure themselves the last playoff spot in the West Division and stave off the struggling Cotuit Kettleers. Orleans needed to prove they wouldn’t hand out a free win just because they weren’t playing for anything.

It’s never too late to add another player to the roster — especially if it fulfills a lifelong dream. Noah Greco (Suffolk) was starting at second. He’d just finished up an NECBL summer where he’d played with the North Adams Steeplecats. Since NECBL ball finishes before the Cape League, Greco shot an email to Manager Kelly Nicholson. It’d always been his dream to play here. The Connecticut native grew up making day trips to the Cape with his dad. Now, he’d be suiting up for Orleans and taking the field.

Before the first game, Orleans’ athletic training staff tossed out the first pitches. Adam Magpoc (SDSU), Ryan MacDougall (Dayton) and D.C. Brown (Brown) took turns borrowing team videographer Jayden Patel’s expensive camera rig — capturing the scenes of the Firebirds dugout. It was perfect weather for baseball as Orleans got ready to close out a memorable summer.

In the second-to-last game of the year, the Firebirds finally secured the ever-elusive three-game winning streak. Rowan Kelly (UCSB) recorded a multi-hit game with a steal. Magpoc manufactured a run by himself. Firebirds pitching held a playoff-hopeful Wareham lineup to just two runs in the shortened contest.

Brayden Toro (Stetson) made the start for Orleans. All summer, the righty had been dependable, eating up crucial innings for the club. Last time out against Harwich, Toro’s curveball was lethal, but a few long balls got to him. Today, he struck out two Gatemen in his first inning.

Toro allowed the Gatemen to load the bases on two walks and a single in the second, but locked in to induce a popup for out three — caught by none other than Greco at second.

Orleans had no action with the bats in the first two innings. The third inning did not go Toro’s way. He walked four, and allowed one hit and one sacrifice fly. Two runs and only two outs later, Toro was done. He had walked six in just two and two-thirds. D.C. Brown (Brown), who’d pitched multiple times in the last few days, took over. He got a quick flyout to put the Wareham bats to rest.

Kelly ripped one to center for the Birds’ second hit. Dominic Cadiz’s (UCLA) 14th extra-base-hit of the year put both of them in scoring position. A sac fly from AJ Beltré (USD) was deep enough to get Orleans on the board. Casey Cumiskey (SNHU) stung one through the right side to tie the game up. His offensive turnaround has been a true revelation for the Firebirds.

Brown worked out of a jam to strand two Gatemen in the fourth. He pitched around traffic again in the fifth after the Gatemen dropped down some bunts, but he had turned in another scoreless frame.

Wareham starter Bryce Turner was finished after Garrett Larsen (Yale) beat out a grounder to the second baseman. Kelly singled again and sent Larsen to third. Cadiz was not to be denied. A sac fly from him put the Birds up 3-2. Beltré rolled one over on the infield, but Kelly beat out the throw home to score another. The Birds had a chance to spoil Wareham's playoff hopes.

Brown was still on the mound in the sixth. He allowed a second hit, but Greco and Cumiskey partnered up to turn two and keep Wareham down.

Magpoc walked and stole both second and third, as he’s done so many times before. His speed had been key for the Orleans lineup since he joined mid-way through July. A wild pitch soon scored him. He had produced Orleans’ fifth run all by himself.

The lefty Brown was the man looking to secure the final three outs. Cadiz made a nice grab in foul ground. Brown’s first K was the second out. His second one ended the game. Brown’s four and one third’s inning pitched with no runs allowed did not go unnoticed. He had saved the rest of the bullpen for the second game.

Game 2: Commodores at Firebirds - 6:30 PM

It was fitting that the Firebirds would end the season the exact way they started it — playing Falmouth. Though it was an otherwise meaningless game 40 for both teams, the Birds had their first opportunity to win four straight games. They had fought until the very end despite being eliminated. That’s the identity of the 2026 Orleans Firebirds.

The hill was packed at Eldredge one last time. The Firebirds faithful always posted a big turnout, no matter the result of the game.

To commend a full season's worth of production, team awards were distributed half an hour before first pitch. It was only fitting that Cadiz and Kelly both took home team MVP awards. The Firebirds one-two punch had been the offensive sparkplug all season long. Kelly had also been a defensive wizard and menace on the bases. Cadiz is an emerging favorite to take home the Cape League MVP.

Grant Garman (Hawaii), Andrew Cutler (George Washington), and Brayden Toro (Stetson) received the Charles F. Moore award for outstanding performance on and off the field. Orleans' best two remaining arms, Luca Alagheband (Harvard) and Cutler won the team pitching award. Cumiskey and Brown took home the coaches award. MacDougall and Beltré were given the hardware for the team spirit award, recognizing leadership, hard work, and courage. Each winner was given a personally engraved Firebirds bat.

After awards were given out, Adam Magpoc detailed the highlights of his summer with Orleans having jumped ship from Brewster.

“From a baseball standpoint, Hanigan has helped me a lot, focusing on plate approach and swing mechanics,” Magpoc said. “The total experience has grown me as a man, expanded my network, and allowed me to meet new people. Having a positive mindset has been key. Overall, this environment is where you get better. If you have that mindset then you can grow from failure.”

As for the Birds’ new found small-ball identity, Magpoc said the turnaround was all about going with the flow.

“It kind of just happened,” he said. “We’ve taken pride in being a team that plays small-ball. It’s a good feeling to end the season. Right now, if you looked at the power rankings, we’re one of the hottest teams. It’s even better when you win, because you’re having a great time with your friends off the field.”

Right as Magpoc finished talking, Rowan Kelly chimed in to share his thoughts. He and Cadiz had anchored the lineup all season long.

“Dom absolutely rakes,” Kelly said. “It’s a joy getting on base and having him up behind me. It feels like every time I get on I’m going to score. I’ve learned a lot from him and our coaches, and we’ve had a great time. I’m looking to build off of this going into the school year, and stay in touch with these guys. I want to remember this experience for as long as I can.”

Kelly had previously spoken about improving his speed and defense in center field. He’d delivered on both of those fronts. That wasn’t all he’d improved this summer.

“I’m definitely proud of my plate discipline,” he said. “I have more walks than strikeouts this year. There are certain cues in my swing that I’ve worked on with [Hanigan] that put me in the right spot.”

Kelly brought the story of the 2026 Orleans Firebirds to life with his final thought.

“We faced a lot of adversity,” he said. “We had fun. All the guys wanted the best for each other. The Firebirds were the Firebirds this year.”

The 2026 team went out on a high note. Their fourth straight win represents the longest streak of the year. Each of Orleans’ top five hitters had at least one RBI. Commodores pitching fell flat in the fifth inning, and the Birds plated four to pull away. With the home crowd watching one last time, the Firebirds sent everyone home happy.

Elai Iwanaga (UCLA) made the start for Orleans, with Charlie Lapp (RPI) receiving him. The rising sophomore has a bright pitching future at UCLA and beyond. In the first, he struck out his first batter. MacDougall started a nifty 3-6-1 double play to end the inning quickly.

Magpoc and Kelly both made good on their interview promises. Kelly worked a walk and Magpoc laid down a perfect bunt. Unfortunately, the score would stay at zero.

Iwanaga faced only four batters in the second, adding a second K. He did hit a batter in the foot, sending the baseball on a miraculous journey through a cutout in the netting made for the high-home camera. It deflected off camera man Jimmy McLaughlin, then dropped straight into the hands of broadcaster Andrew Giesler. Both Orleans’ broadcasters would be taking home a trophy after the season. It was a moment of true poetry in the last game of the year.

The righty from UCLA pitched into the third. He walked Drew Terpins, then stole second and third. He scored on the ‘Dores first hit. Another steal and hit made it 2-0. More Commodores reached, but none more would score. Larsen singled and stole in the bottom of the frame, but didn’t get past second.

Corbin Giesen (LMU) made his second appearance for Orleans in the fourth. He faced the minimum before returning to the dugout. He was back for the fifth. The Firebirds infield defense shined to help him through.

Orleans’ second hit of the game came in the bottom of the inning from Lapp. It was his first knock of the year. Kelly motioned to keep the ball from the on-deck circle. MacDougall had walked ahead of him, and Larsen bunted himself on behind him.

The bases were loaded for Kelly. Five pitches later, he took a walk to score the first Birds’ run. After a pitching change, Cadiz stepped in. Birds flying south passed overhead. Dom couldn’t get it done, but a run did cross after an error by the ‘Dores second baseman. Cumiskey tapped one to the pitcher and the same exact thing happened. Tyler Harmony (Northeastern) was hit by pitch, representing the fourth run in the inning. The floodgates had opened, and the Birds were up 4-2.

Giesen was back for the sixth. A no-doubter from AJ Putty made it a one run game. The Commodores continued to threaten with a hit and an error, but one would be all they got.

Cadiz was up again in the sixth with the bases loaded. It was his last at-bat for Orleans. He rolled one to third to score another Firebird. Magpoc piled on with an RBI single.

In the last two innings, the Birds had sent 18 hitters to the plate. They’d have to protect a three-run lead in the final half inning of the summer.

Giesen stayed on. After two groundouts and a flyout, he’d secured the Firebirds’ 16th win. Fans swarmed the field to get their last chances at autographs and congratulating players. Manager Kelly Nicholson summarized another year of Birds’ ball after dismissing his team one last time.

“It was awesome to see these guys compete,” Nicholson said. “When you have a guy like Rowan who likes to win and plays the game the right way at the top of the order, everyone just falls in line. I told him after the game, ‘The reason we finished strong was because of you.’ I was proud of how they finished, going 8-3 in their last 11. We were just losing games on the margins, but I’m glad we ended on a positive note. That’s what they’re going to remember.”

One special factor led to the Birds strong finish — persistence. As Kelly provided another answer, Beltré interrupted, thanking Nicholson for a great summer and expressing his willingness to return. The veteran manager assured Beltré of his bright future, but told him to go easy on his Loyola Marymount Lions.

“This team was super gritty,” Nicholson said. “They enjoyed being around one another, coming to the field, getting early work in, and playing up until the very last out.”

With a 24th season under his belt, Nicholson is still looking to learn and improve each year.

“I’ve just learned to have more patience,” he said. “I have a good friend, Mark Hallberg, who’s a bench coach for the Minnesota Twins. He says that you have to be consistent with your behavior, thoughts, and body language every day. When we were scuffling, I thought of him. Each day we showed up to the ballpark and had a chance to be successful.”