Harwich, Mass. — It was a warm and sunny day at Whitehouse Field, and the Gatemen were feeling hot entering batting practice. It was not just because of the sun, but because the team felt like they were building momentum.
The Gatemen, coming off their first win of the season on Tuesday, followed by their Fenway Day scout workout on Wednesday, a day that many players considered a dream come true, were feeling good entering Thursday’s game against the Harwich Mariners.
The Mariners, the defending Cape League champions, did not phase the Gatemen, who looked to get a statement win.
“Every team out here is new every year, but it was just good to get another one right here. Rolled into the Fenway day with a win, and kind of let that momentum take us into today,” said Gatemen Field Manager Ryan Smyth.
The Gatemen defeated the Harwich Mariners 5-2, winning their second consecutive game and their first road game of the season.
It was a great game from start to finish for the Gatemen, especially at the plate. In the top of the third, Hayden Yost (Florida) crushed a home run deep to right field to put the Gatemen on the board. It was Yost’s first of the summer, and it energized the dugout.
“I was just trying to be on time for a fastball, and got a couple I missed early in the count, but then obviously I got one I could handle and put a good swing on it, and it felt great leaving the bat,” said Yost.
From there, the Gatemen kept the offense coming. In the fourth, third baseman Rylan Lujo (Dayton) drove in Vance Sheahan (Miami) with an RBI single. Then, in the fifth, the Gatemen exploded for three runs. Kollin Ritchie (Oklahoma State) scored on a past ball, then Landon Stripling (Florida) singled into center, scoring both Sheahan and catcher Levi Clark (Tennessee) after a throwing error. The Gatemen bats were alive, something that had not been seen in previous games.
“We’ve put more emphasis on our early work and just getting into a groove. We’ve got a couple of games under our belt now, so I think we're starting to find it as an offense,” said Yost.
Ty Dalley (Clemson) also had a great night at the plate, going 2 for 3 with a walk. One of those hits was a double where he was nearly thrown out, yet he avoided the tag as he dove into the bag.
“I knew I hit it really hard to left, and I honestly didn't think he was gonna get to it, but I saw he got it, and I was already rounding first at that point. Then I thought, if I don't do something cool right here, I'm probably gonna be out. So, I had to do a little swim move and get in there,” said Dalley.
The move fired up the team and inspired the offense to keep doing damage.
The offense grabbed seven hits on the night and scored five runs, both season highs for a single game for the team. Entering the game, the Gatemen were tied last in the league in runs scored with Cotuit, scoring only eight combined runs in their first four games.
Despite giving up runs in the fourth and fifth innings, the pitching staff looked great once again. Carson Mayfield (Cornell), despite giving up four hits, got timely outs from his defense and completed four innings of work, only allowing one run.
From there, the Gatemen bullpen played lights out. Jordan Stephens (Georgia), who was credited with the win, pitched 2 ⅔ innings, allowed only one hit and one run while striking out three batters.
After him came Kayden Campbell (Georgia Tech), who redeemed himself after a tough outing against Hyannis on Opening Day. Campbell pitched 1 ⅔ scoreless innings, only allowing a walk and also grabbing 3 punchouts.
To close the game, the Gatemen brought out three-time Gatemen Gavin Black (Mississippi State). Black, who had not pitched since February 25, made his first appearance of the summer. He grabbed two crucial outs, capping off the game with a looking strikeout against pinch hitter Kyle Wolff (Boston College), to seal the win.
Another player made their first appearance of the summer. Catcher Levi Clark arrived in Boston on Wednesday and joined the team for batting practice and fielding drills at Fenway Park before even moving down to the Cape.
He then found himself as the starting catcher and batting cleanup in the Gatemen lineup, and he delivered. He went 1 for 4, scoring a run and nearly hitting a home run to left field.
“He hit a ball as high as the light towers, and it almost snuck out of here, and that was his second at bat here, which is a good sign,” said Smyth.
He also performed well at the catcher’s position, something he had not done in three months, playing primarily as a designated hitter with the Volunteers. He threw a runner out at third and caught well for each pitcher that entered the game.
“It's been a little bit since being back there, but it felt good being back there, it was fun being out there with a new team, a lot of new faces, and getting to know them. It was a fun time,” said Clark.
The Gatemen now have some momentum, and the team is more closely bonded than ever, giving them a lot to feel good about heading into the weekend.
“Baseball's a game of momentum. If we can put two together, then we get one more together, I think you'd call it a winning streak, and we'll get this thing rolling,” said Dalley.
The Gatemen look to take this momentum with them to face off against Hyannis with hopes of avenging their Opening Day defeat. The game is set for Friday at 6:00 p.m. at McKeon Park in Hyannis.
