WAREHAM, Mass. — It was a cloudy day at Spillane Field, and the Gatemen got to the field early for their media day. Players were having fun getting headshots and posing for the camera in their gear with their teammates, starting the day off on a positive note.
It was not just good pictures they had to smile about; they defeated the Brewster Whitecaps 2-1 on Friday and were feeling good going up against the Y-D Red Sox, who were the hottest team in the Cape entering the game.
The game was close, tied at three going into the ninth; however, the Gatemen could not hang on for a walk-off opportunity. The Gatemen (5-7) lost to the Y-D Red Sox (9-2-1) by a score of 6-3 on Saturday, after allowing three runs in the top of the ninth.
The loss was crushing, especially after a well-earned win in Brewster the previous game. It started with Y-D getting on the board early, taking a 1-0 lead thanks to a sacrifice fly from Chris Hacopian (Maryland) that scored Brayden Dowd (USC).
The Gatemen responded quickly in the first with catcher Levi Clark (Tennessee) driving in shortstop Brayden Randle (Ole Miss) to tie the game at one.
The Red Sox would get two more runs in the third off a Yomar Carreras (Rutgers) double that scored two runs, but the Gatemen were able to keep the red-hot Red Sox in check, especially with Clark behind the dish, catching runners stealing.
“Props to our middle infielders, we, along with the pitchers, have been able to have good communication,” said Clark about base-stealing communication. “It is tough for us catchers to come here and learn each pitcher, since each guy is different, but we have communicated well and the arm is feeling good too, which helps get those outs.”
Clark did have good communication, allowing him to catch two Red Sox runners stealing, giving his defense crucial outs to keep the game close.
“Just handling some of these arms out here is really tough,” said Wareham Field Manager Ryan Smyth. “He caught a couple guys tonight for the first time. It is not the easiest thing in the world. And, to be able to throw out the guys that he is right now, he's putting balls right on the bag, it’s impressive.”
The Gatemen then added runs to claw their way back. First Baseman Chris McHugh (NC State) struck out swinging but advanced to first on a drop third strike. Levi Clark then ran home on the wild pitch and scored.
The Gatemen struck again in the bottom of the eighth with Pinch Runner Vance Sheahan (Miami) advancing home on a wild pitch to tie the game.
With the game tied, the Gatemen could smell a walk-off opportunity. The game would not stay tied though, as Pitcher Josh Butler (Arizona State) hit Garrett Wright (Bowling Green) with the bases loaded and two outs to give Y-D a 4-3 lead. Then Will Gasparino (Texas) drove in two runs on a single to make it 6-3. Butler, who was pitching great going into that inning, going 4 innings scoreless and striking out 6 batters, ran out of gas in the ninth, leading to the loss.
It was another close game that the Gatemen also had, but could not win. All but four of their games this summer have been decided by three runs or less, with two of them being one-run walk-off losses.
“We've done this before. We’ve played in a lot of close games, and most haven't gone our way. And I think eventually, you know, these guys are going to hate losing more than they like winning, and the tide is going to change,” said Smyth.
The Gatemen, luckily, have a chance to right the ship tomorrow against Orleans at Eldredge Park. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. in Orleans.
