Despite a sixth-inning surge, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks fell to the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox 6-4 on Friday night at McKeon Park.
The now 10-1 Red Sox are the first team in the league to reach 10 wins on the season and are currently on a five-game win streak. Y-D manager Scott Pickler said team chemistry is what is driving them to success.
“Part of this is the team chemistry of how they pick each other up,” Pickler said. “I really feel like I’ve got 30 guys that aren’t into themselves; they’re into playing baseball, winning games and picking each other up.”
The Red Sox opened scoring in the second inning with a solo homerun by first baseman Tommy Goodin. Later in the inning, with catcher Brady Dallimore in scoring position, an RBI single by designated hitter Caleb Daniel sent the runner home, putting the Red Sox up 2-0.
In the fourth inning, the Harbor Hawks found themselves in a bases-loaded jam after back-to-back hit-by-pitches by starter Kyle Alivo. Two bases-loaded walks extended the Red Sox's lead to 4-0.
The Red Sox were not out of the woods yet, as the Harbor Hawks loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning. However, with two outs, Y-D pitcher Brady Frederick picked off Harbor Hawks first baseman Caden Miller at first base to end the inning.
The umpiring crew took time to discuss the out decision, and a later ruling in which a Red Sox runner was ruled safe on a pickoff attempt by Harbor Hawks' pitcher Sebastian Lippman was another point of discussion. Hyannis manager Mitch Karraker said despite the close calls, the team should be looking at itself first.
“For our guys, we've got to know that that doesn’t make or break the game,” Karraker said. “We've got to take it one pitch at a time and figure out how to win the next pitch and not worry so much about all those calls.”
Although the Harbor Hawks were unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunities in the fifth, the team put itself back into the game in the sixth, starting with a leadoff single by third baseman Jordan Lodise and a two-run homer by designated hitter Henry Zenor – his first of the season. Then, with right fielder Liam Barrett and shortstop Taylor Kirk in scoring position courtesy of a wild pitch, an RBI single by left fielder JP Head sent the two runners home to tie the game 4-4.
Despite the momentum, the Harbor Hawks' defense was unable to keep the Red Sox at bay in the eighth inning. After an RBI double by right fielder Brock Ketelsen drove in two runners, the Red Sox regained their lead and held onto it for the remainder of the game.
The Harbor Hawks look ahead to face Chatham on Saturday night, whom the team suffered a 9-1 loss to last Sunday. Karraker said he’s looking for better pitching against the Anglers' big hitters.
“We didn’t execute very well," Karraker said. "[We] gave them [Chatham] a lot of pitches to hit, got in some bad counts which makes them a little more comfortable.”
Karraker said he’s also looking for offensive consistency after the Harbor Hawks' only scoring moments against the Red Sox were in the sixth inning.
“Offensively, hopefully we can get clicking early and often, kind of like we were the other day where we scored in multiple innings, not just one big inning.” Karraker said.
The Hyannis Harbor Hawks will face the Anglers at Veterans Field in Chatham on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
