There were a lot of fireworks in Tuesday’s game against the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. Both teams combined for 25 hits, with the Gatemen getting 11. Unfortunately, the Gatemen bats were not as hot as Y-D’s or the afternoon sun.
The Gatemen fell to the Red Sox 13-7 on a scorching 98-degree afternoon. The loss put them at a record of 4-5, and they find themselves in 3rd place in the West Division.
Tonight, they face the Orleans Firebirds for the first time this season. Last year, the Gatemen dominated the Firebirds, winning all four matchups between the two teams. The last time they lost to Orleans was July 25, 2023, when they lost 10-6 at Eldredge Park.
If history repeats itself, the Gatemen can get themselves back to .500 to close the first quarter of their season. However, Orleans, despite losing 2-1 to Bourne on Tuesday, are starting to find their footing, defeating the East Division-leading Brewster Whitecaps 6-2 on Sunday, and have aims of returning to .500 as well.
Starting Pitchers
The Gatemen will start Carson Mayfield (Cornell). Mayfield’s first start of the season was last Thursday against the Harwich Mariners. There he pitched 4 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, and striking out 1 batter.
He will look to continue that success against an Orleans lineup that is batting .197 as a team, almost through the first quarter of the season.
On the other side of the diamond, the Firebirds will throw Brayden Krenzel (Tennessee). Krenzel holds a 1-0 record after coming in relief against the Cotuit Kettleers on June 16. There, he pitched 2.1 innings, allowing 1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, while collecting 3 punchouts.
He has appeared in three games this season, but tonight will be his first start. The Gatemen could take advantage later in his start if he gets tired.
Players to Watch
The Gatemen offense looked great against the hottest team on the Cape, the Y-D Red Sox, on Tuesday. Ty Dalley (Clemson) has continued to prove his importance to the Gatemen’s lineup.
On Tuesday, he went 4 for 5 on the day with 2 RBIs and a run. Look for him to continue to be the spark for the Gatemen’s Lineup.
Other names to keep an eye on are newcomers Andrew Cain (Arizona) and Ty Starke (Louisville). Both players will take the numbers of Adam Agresti (St. John’s) and Shamaar McDuffie (Kennesaw State), who were released this week.
Both players are coming off campaigns in Omaha and played each other in the College World Series; they bring championship-level experience to both the bats and the mound. Look for them to make an immediate impact on the Gatemen’s roster.
The Firebirds, on the other hand, have slugger Sebastian Pisacreta (Pittsburgh), who is batting .353 for the summer. On Sunday against Brewster, he went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run. Look for his bat near the heart of the order tonight.
The Firebirds also have Relief Pitcher Ethan Foley (California), who has appeared in four games, pitching 7.2 innings, allowing only 1 run, and striking out 10 batters. If the Firebirds get ahead, look for Foley to come out of the pen and shut down the Gatemen.
First Pitch between the Gatemen and the Firebirds is at 6:00 p.m. at Spillane Field in Wareham. You can attend the game for free, or you can tune into the Gatemen’s broadcast on Cape League TV with Cory Miller, Josh Richardson, and Rayna Maggelet by clicking HERE.
