Looking to continue a three-game winning streak, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks instead fell to the now-15-16 Falmouth Commodores by a score of 15-7 on Friday at McKeon Park. Hyannis sunk back under the .500 mark, and its record on the season now stands at 15-16.

It was the most runs the Harbor Hawks had given up since July 3, and the most the Commodores had scored all season.

For Hyannis manager Mitch Karraker, that simply comes down to pitchers “need[ing] to locate better.”

New faces on Hyannis’ roster – including starting pitcher Kevin Robinson, left fielder Nick Dromboski and reliever Mason Blasche, all of whom made their Hyannis debuts – impacted the game for better and for worse.

Robinson, coming off a stellar collegiate season in which he struck out 48 while walking only three batters for the Northwestern State Demons, uncharacteristically struggled with control. On Friday, Robinson began his night with a hit by pitch and the second inning with a walk and another hit by pitch.

Karraker said it was “a little bit of a learning experience” for Robinson, who had to adjust to pitching to new competition he may not have seen at a mid-major school.

“Obviously, this is a really good league,” Karraker said. “We got good hitters, and he wasn’t too sharp tonight. We expect him to be better next time he gets the ball.”

When Robinson did throw in the zone, he got hit hard – Falmouth tagged him for five earned runs on six hits, including a solo home run by first baseman Tommy Harrison. The Commodores scored three in the second and two in the third, putting Hyannis in an early 5-0 hole.

But the Harbor Hawks kept it competitive. Hyannis responded with four runs on only one hit in th bottom of the third, first scoring on four walks in the inning. With the bases loaded, up came center fielder Clay Thompson, who attacked the first pitch he saw to drive in two more.

“We’re an aggressive team,” Karraker said. “If you get a pitch to hit, we want you to get swings, especially with runners in scoring position. And so, proud of him in that sense.”

The Harbor Hawks added another as Falmouth catcher Dallas Brooks threw the ball away trying to get third baseman Taylor Kirk out at first base, allowing designated hitter Caden Miller to score, before Dromboski struck out to end the inning.

After Hyannis reliever Clay Masonis came on in relief of Robinson and struggled, allowing a run, Blasche entered the game for his Harbor Hawks debut and impressed. Though Blasche was ultimately charged for two runs in 2.2 innings, he also struck out four, delivering a scoreless three-strikeout sixth inning.

The Harbor Hawks added another in the bottom of the fifth from an RBI single by Kirk, after outfielder Jax Gimenez stole a base to put himself in scoring position. Gimenez and shortstop Matt Ineich notched their 11th and 10th stolen bases of the season, respectively. Aggressive baserunning is becoming a critical part of Hyannis’ offensive identity.

“It’s huge,” Karraker said. “We’ve talked about it for a few games now. Just the pressure we want to put on the defense and put it in uncomfortable situations, and so our guys will continue to do a good job of that.”

After Falmouth scored two off Blasche, the Harbor Hawks one again made it a one-run game with a big bases-loaded hit by Dromboski. After taking two strikes, Dromboski ambushed the 0-2 pitch and drove it to center field, driving in two.

“That one was huge for us,” Karraker said. “I think he’s a good old player, and that’s why he’s here.”

Hyannis’ comeback was not to be, however. Reliever Trey Swygart replaced Blasche and struggled mightily as the Commodores tagged him for seven earned runs on nine hits in 1.1 innings. Reliever Sam Mitchell finished the game once Falmouth had put it on ice.

The Harbor Hawks had a final chance in the bottom of the eighth as three consecutive runners reached with two outs, but pinch-hitter Henry Zenor – Karraker liked the left-on-right matchup and said Zenor handles sinkerball pitchers well – grounded out to second, dashing Hyannis’ remaining hopes.

While the Harbor Hawks’ offense has seemingly woken up from its struggles a few weeks ago, pitching in one of its most complete games of the season – “I think we have an offense that can compete with [the other team scoring] 15 runs,” Karraker said – there’s still more work to be done.

"It's tough to do when you feel like you're giving up runs every inning and having to fight back," Karraker said.

Hyannis will next face a familiar foe, traveling to face the Bourne Braves at Doran Park on Saturday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.