FALMOUTH, Mass. — After Thursday’s loss to Brewster, Falmouth manager Jarrod Saltalamacchia had one message for his team — take it one game at a time.

The former World Series champion added the Commodores have three days until their first true off day of the season. But the 'Dores still needed to keep pushing.

“Every win from here on out matters, especially with the 40-game season,” Saltalamacchia said. “It's a long season for everybody because of the college season straight into this, so off days are very premium.”

Fortunately for Saltalamacchia, Falmouth was facing the perfect opponent to get back on track — Orleans. The Commodores destroyed the Firebirds, 14-5, Tuesday, the only time they’ve scored more than four runs in a game this season.

That changed Friday. Falmouth moved back to .500 by defeating Orleans, 7-3. Like its first matchup with the Firebirds, it relied on the long ball Friday, with Mark Quatrani, Maika Niu and Kyle Morrison all going deep. That paired with strong outings on the bump from Grayson Saunier and Easton Barrett to give Falmouth its first win at Guv Fuller Field this season.

Everything was clicking for Falmouth the last time it played the Firebirds. Every player in its lineup — including pinch-hitter Chris Newstrom — recorded a hit. The Commodores even batted around without making an out in a nine-run sixth inning.

Friday’s matchup didn’t have as many fireworks. But Falmouth (3-3) feasted on Orleans (2-4) again.

Saint Louis’ Owen Kelly started hot, not allowing a baserunner in the first two frames. In the first, he sat down the 'Dores’ top two hitters, Niu and John Smith, on strikes.

Saunier (Texas) matched him. The right-hander made his second start this year after allowing just two runs versus Brewster in Game 2. He was even better Friday, striking out six across four innings. He had everything working in the first, getting Javar Williams and Michael Crossland looking by painting the corners.

“When you’ve got someone on the mound and he's mowing, all you gotta do is get him a couple (runs) and don't do too much. Even more confidence builds,” Niu said of Saunier.

But both lineups seemed to get a feel for the pitchers from then on.

It amounted to nothing in the second, as each received help from their defense. Falmouth’s Ben Royo turned a nifty double play. Then, Orleans left fielder Tristan Salinas and shortstop Jonathan Mendez converted tough plays, too.

Though more contact was bound to lead to runs. Both teams took advantage. With two runners in scoring position, Michael Crossland (San Diego) lofted a single into left to make it 2-0 early.

But Falmouth answered right back. Like its four long balls at Orleans, it relied on its power again. Quatrani — who entered with just one hit on the season — demolished a two-run jack to left-center to even the score at two. It marked the 'Dores’ sixth homer of the year, the best mark in the league.

Each side looked to have settled in after the scoring frenzy. Just two innings later, the action continued.

Saltalamacchia swapped Saunier for Arizona State’s Barrett for his first appearance of the season. But Barrett was greeted rudely. Crossland was the culprit again, notching his third RBI of the game by sneaking a double down the left-field line to take a 3-2 lead.

Still, like many of the 'Dores’ opponents have when they’ve held leads, Barrett kept Falmouth in the game. He wasn’t fazed when Salinas reached third in the sixth with one out.

Falmouth took advantage instantly. It knocked Kelly, who allowed just three hits through 4 2/3 innings, out of the game. Though reliever Luke Pettitte, who totaled a 0.00 ERA with Dallas Baptist this season, looked to be cruising through the sixth, the 'Dores flexed their muscles again.

First, it was Morrison. The recent Southern Mississippi transfer slammed a ball the opposite way, joining the home run party to knot the game, 3-3.

Morrison gave a gut punch. But Niu delivered the knockout blow. The Marshall product has been blazing hot recently, entering with two homers in his last two games. Saltalamacchia moved him to the leadoff spot Friday, and he came through again, bashing a two-run shot to give the Commodores their first lead of the game, 5-3.

“Every home run’s a jump start,” Niu said. “Everybody gets going, and that confidence builds and moves through the lineup, and good things happen.”

While Falmouth’s offense was clicking, Barrett kept dealing. After his rough start in the fifth, he settled in with three strong frames, including striking out three in the eighth. He ended his Commodores debut going four innings, fanning six and allowing just two hits.

Quatrani gave the Commodores some insurance by doubling their lead with a two-run single in the eighth. That was all the run support closer Joe Sabbath (Rhode Island) needed. After notching the save in Game 1 versus Chatham, he did the same again Friday.

Falmouth took Saltalamacchia’s advice to heart versus Orleans. Instead of falling further below .500, it shook off its loss to Brewster and bounced back with another strong offensive showing.

“Salty always talks about that 12 o'clock mark, no matter what, we forget it and move on,” Niu said. “And that's what we did today.”

Noah Nussbaum is the beat reporter for the Falmouth Commodores. You can read all of his articles on the Commodores here.