The Harwich Mariners traveled to Red Wilson Field for the first game of the East Division Finals versus the Y-D Red Sox. The Mariners won their first round matchup against the Brewster Whitecaps in a two game sweep, with the second game ending in a Sean O’Leary walkoff RBI in the bottom of the tenth inning. The Red Sox had a different road to the semifinals, after dropping their first game to Chatham. They had to win two straight to take the series and that is exactly what they did.

Brady Bendik was the starter for the Mariners. The senior arm from the Naval Academy has only eight innings of work on the season but has been dominant, only allowing one run. Bendik has struck out 13 batters in his Cape career.

The Red Sox struck first in the bottom of the first inning after Y-D’s leadoff Jayce Tharnish singled on a shallow fly ball to right field. After a wild pick off attempt by Bendik, Tharnish was able to reach second. Y-D’s Tommy Goodin would bring home Tharnish after an RBI single to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead.

Y-D extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning after an RBI double from Jake Sounders. A follow up Phoenix Call sacrifice fly ball granted the Red Sox a 3-0 lead.

Y-D was only able to get one run back during the Mariners barrage and that was when Ryder Robinson sent a ball over the right field fence for the solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

After the Robinson homerun, Harwich starter Brady Bendik’s night was over. Bendik finished his playoff debut giving up four runs while also striking out four Red Sox.

Christian Rodriguez came out of the bullpen for the Mariners to relieve Bendik. In his three innings of work the right-hander didn't allow a single hit. This is the second straight appearance Rodriguez has gone three innings and has not allowed a batter to score a hit.

“I always think, just get my hitters as fast into the dugout as quick as I can and give them the chance to win us the ball game,” said Rodriguez.

Batting Practice

The Mariners offense came alive in the middle innings, maybe the most we have seen all season. In innings 3-7 the Mariners offense put up 12 runs to completely flip the script of the game. Six Mariners hit a home run at Red Wilson Field Friday.

Niko Brini (356 ft)

Sean O’Leary (379 ft)

JP Peltier (388 ft)

Bryaden Jaksa (405 ft)

Colin Larson (425 ft)

Cade Kurland (375 ft)

Larson's homerun got lost in the trees at Red Wilson Field. Even being in an 0-2 count, Larson knew what pitch to wait on.

“I was sitting soft and I got a changeup up, and I was just able to turn on it,” said Larson.

The Mariners set a season record hitting six homerun in a single game. There was no weakness in the Harwich lineup with all nine batters recording a hit in the blowout win.

“We had a really good approach, standing in the middle of the field, and we sat on some pitches. We did some damage when we got our pitch. We didn’t miss them,” said Coach Englert.

The Red Sox tried to make a ninth inning comeback by putting up five runs but Owen Wheeler shut the door by forcing a groundout to first base.

What’s Next?

The Mariners are 3-0 in the playoffs and will look to sweep the Red Sox Saturday night at Whitehouse Field.

First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.