Smyth’s Gatemen have a ton of experience on the roster and are waiting for the dividends to pay out. Many of his 2025 returnees were members of their 2025 playoff run when they finished 20-20 and lost to Cotuit in the first round.
Caden McDonald, Drew Rogers and Chris Ramirez are leading the Gatemen in batting average with .500, .462, and .296, respectively. Each of the three were on the 2025 edition of the team. Many returning Gatemen like McDonald, Ramirez and Clark are finding success getting on base, but the lineup remains sapped of power and Wareham is still desperate for consistent production.
“It was a really good experience last year, and I think coming back this year, I've kind of been around, so I feel good about my at-bats," Rogers said. Rogers featured in 12 games for Wareham last summer after starting the season with Brewster.
Rogers was also part of Georgia Tech’s historic run this spring, going 50-11. Between Georgia Tech and Wareham, Rogers has gotten the unique chance to split time as a catcher with Vahn Lackey, Levi Clark, Coen Niclai and Nate Novitske.
"It's really good. Every one of them helps me get better, and I'll also help them get better,” Rogers said. “So it's really good to have good catchers on your side because it's pushing you to get better."
Despite the early-season struggles, Rogers believes Wareham is close to breaking through. “We're hopeful, and we think it's coming,” Rogers said. “A better vibe comes with getting ahead earlier and starting to win games. Once we do that, it'll be a little bit better.”
Smyth is looking for growth on the field, and with July now on the schedule and the All-Star Game approaching, the clock is starting to tick in Wareham. The Gatemen are currently last in run differential at -42 and in total points with just 6. The low-scoring losses have been par for the course for the Gatemen; their 46 runs scored are last in the league and they have struggled to get going offensively.
Another Tough Night on the Cape
The urgent need for a turnaround was on display Wednesday as Ryan Smyth’s Gatemen extended their losing skid to five with a 5-3 loss against the Brewster Whitecaps. Brewster has stayed hot with three straight wins before Wednesday to keep them third in the West Division.
Wareham pitcher Mark Brissey started his first game on the Cape after four outings out of the bullpen. Brissey threw 3.2 innings with three hits and just one run allowed. The Arkansas pitcher had a solid outing, but Wareham still has a real need for quality starts.
Brewster opened the scoring in the second inning with a Cash Strayer RBI-single. A Brody Lalummiere sacrifice fly in the fifth and an Edward Yamin homer in the sixth made it 3-0, with Wareham failing to get any scoring on the board early.
New Blood and a Ninth-Inning Spark
Smyth is hoping his new additions will bring life to the lineup and help get the Gatemen back in the fight. One player in his first week with Wareham is Noah Sheffield, the son of five-time Silver Slugger winner Gary Sheffield.
The Florida State product arrived on the Cape sporting his bright yellow Seminoles batting gear and a familiar bat waggle inherited from his father, one of baseball's most recognizable hitters. Sheffield made the most of his plate appearances with two hits and two walks in just his second game with the Gatemen. Sheffield gives credit to his father for his confidence at the plate.
“Watching him growing up, it definitely felt natural to me,” Sheffield said. “When I was about 13 or 14, I started really taking on the swing so I could develop into the hitter I wanted to be, and just getting coached by one of the best hitters in the game.”
Sheffield hopes his iconic swing and lightning-fast bat speed will help him continue to improve and accomplish his goals throughout the summer. “Staying consistent, learning how to use all parts of the field, definitely having a higher fielding percentage, making sure that I'm consistent with the glove and being a great teammate overall,” Sheffield said.
That new energy helped spark a late rally. Wareham showed life in the ninth and kept the Gatemen faithful in their seats. Dylan Dubovik, Noah Sheffield and Henry DiGiorgio opened the inning with singles before Levi Clark drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-1. Nate Novitske followed with an RBI single to score Sheffield, but DiGiorgio was thrown out at the plate by a ball on a frozen rope from left fielder Terrence Kiel II.
The Gatemen added another run to cut the deficit to 5-3, but Caleb Barnett struck out swinging to end the comeback attempt. Unfortunately for Wareham, the late rally proved to be too little, too late as the Gatemen fell 5-3.
