FALMOUTH, Mass – Falmouth Commodore first baseman Isaiah Barkett (Stetson) lunged to snag the final groundout to seal the 8-3 win over the Hyannis Harbor Hawks on Tuesday night.
“We needed it,” Barkett said. “They kicked our butts opening night, so it’s good to beat those guys.”
The Harbor Hawks took an early advantage of 2-0 putting up three hits and two runs on Commodore starting pitcher Hayden Frank (Lipscomb) in the top of the first and second innings. Falmouth began to roll in the bottom of the third loading the bases after Jaxon Willits (Oklahoma) singled it. Karson Bowen (TCU) walked it home to put the Commodores on the board, 2-1.
Hyannis’ lead furthered to 3-1 in the top of the fourth on a throwing error from Frank, allowing Alex Lodise (Florida State) to punch in the run.
The Commodores' offensive momentum bounced back in the fifth with three straight singles and a run from Barkett to make it a one-run game, 3-2, but the momentum was stunted when the Harbor Hawks defense picked up three outs.
The bottom of the seventh inning was all Falmouth. Barkett hit it off going 2-2 at-bat, then Willits and Gavin Kilen (transfer portal) were put into scoring position with a double from Kilen. Luke Gaffney (Clemson) secured two RBI with a double into center field to give Falmouth the lead, 4-3.
“It was a great night,” Barkett said. “Super happy to get out there and play, God works in weird ways, but it was awesome.”
Jayson Jones (Oklahoma State) put some fire into the offense with a single and two RBI to extend the Commodores to 6-3. Gavin Turley and Jones were in scoring position with just one out on the board while Jack Bell (TCU) was still seeking his first hit, but he settled for the walk to load the bases for Falmouth for the fourth time.
Bowen walked to push Gaffney off third to home and the lineup rolled back over to Barkett. Jones punched in a run off a wild pitch from Stone Cushing (BYU) and the Commodores were up 8-3 going into the eighth.
Falmouth needed to back its offensive performance with a clean defensive outing and it delivered with a quick three outs from Francis Ferguson (Eastern Nazarene). Gage Wood (Arkansas) closed the game out in the top of the ninth with back-to-back strikeouts and assistance from Barkett to clinch Falmouth’s fourth win of the season.
The Commodores (4-10) will stay at home to host the Cotuit Kettleers (9-5) at Guv Fuller Field on Wednesday with the first pitch set for 6 p.m.
You can get live game updates on Instagram and X @FalCommodores or tune in to the live television broadcast featuring Aiden Blanc, MJ Newsom and Braden Schenck on YouTube @FalmouthCommodores.
