The last remaining teams with a zero in the win column met at a windy Eldredge Park Monday night, where they would put their bullpens to the test.
Before manager Kelly Nicholson called upon his bullpen, Matthew Watson, the starting pitcher on the mound for the Birds, anchored the Orleans defense.
After surrendering a line drive double to right and walking two batters, Watson quickly found himself in a jam in the top of the first. The 6-foot-5 righty persevered, however, responding by striking Kollin Ritchie out swinging to escape what could have been a tough hole to fly out of for the Firebirds.
Despite throwing out 30 pitches in the inning, Watson stayed composed and responded with a smooth, seven-pitch, 1-2-3 second inning.
The rising senior at Texas A&M Corpus Christi credits his ability to stay focused on the next pitch and calmness on the mound to going to what he can trust; the work he puts into his craft.
"I just got back to trusting my stuff," Watson said. "The game might have gotten a little fast on me early, but I just got back to what I've been focusing on."
Following Watson's impressive second-inning response, Landon Moran pushed his hit streak to three games, drilling a line drive back onto the warning track in center field. Moran's deep drive landed him in scoring position on second, something Orleans base runners weren't able to accomplish until the ninth inning in Sunday's home opener.
Moran wouldn't be hanging around on second long, as a Daniel Bucciero line drive that dropped in the right-center gap brought him home, and gave the Birds an early 1-0 lead.
The one run would be all the Firebirds offense could muster, but Watson's continued efficiency on the mound ensured that wouldn't matter, as he retired nine consecutive batters through the second and fourth inning.
Despite a near-flawless 4 2/3 innings of pitching, Nicholson went to his bullpen for the first time of the night. Nicholson knew that the way this contest was going, the Firebirds couldn't afford to have worn down arms on the mound for even a pitch, as one hit could flip the game in the Commodore's favor.
Miles Gosztola strolled out of the bullpen and would later be proceeded by Brendan Walker, Saul Soto, and Sean Matson, respectfully.
Falmouth's offense continued to be non-existent until they showed a small spark to start the eighth, as a lead man made it onto base for the first time since the first inning. The Commodores' small spark of hope quickly burned out as Blake Cavill grounded out right into a double play, giving the Birds two easy outs, and their first double play of the summer.
Sean Matson once again checked in to close for the Birds, but in contrast to his last outing against Cotuit where he just hoped to give the Birds a chance for one last rally, he had a chance to end the game.
Matson did just that, and recorded three quick outs, giving Orleans their first win of the year.
Daniel Bucciero, who brought in the lone Birds run, is glad the team can get this first win in their rearview and look ahead toward the next.
"First ones are always the toughest, so it's great we were able to get it out of the way now," he said.
The Firebirds will look to make it a win streak Tuesday night, as they head over the bridge and off Cape to Wareham for a 6 p.m. battle with the Gatemen.
