The Thursday night matchup between the Harwich Mariners and Falmouth Commodores was expected to be a high scoring affair. Both entered with a 3-1 record and showcased high powered offenses early in the season.

NC State’s Chet Lax got the start for the Mariners tonight. Lax was lights out in his first start for the Mariners. The left handed pitcher tossed five innings only allowing three hits and zero runs.

Lax was a commander of the zone tonight completely shutting down the number two offense in the league. Lax opened the game with a nine pitch inning and didn't look back. The Commodores only had one man in scoring position all night.

With the Commodores in scoring position, Colin Larson erased Falmouth's only chance at scoring tonight, laying out to make a catch on a shallow line drive down the right-field line for the defensive play of the game.

Clean Baseball

Harwich entered the game struggling with defensive miscues and walks. Today it was completely erased, both Harwich pitchers didn't allow a single player to reach base via walk. Assistant coach Steve Spitaleri knows how crucial this means to the final score.

“Zero walks. They challenged hitters all night, pitched backwards at times, and hit their spots. They were phenomenal. Just a bulldog out there. They did a really good job.”

Jason Krieger came in to pitch the final three innings and was equally dominated. The 6-foot-4 right hander didn't allow a Commodore to sniff a base. Krieger retired nine straight and struck out three on his way to complete the first Harwich shutout of the season.

“My four-seam fastball was working well. I was throwing the four-seam, cutter and sinker, really just trying to throw everything hard and fill up the zone. It worked out pretty well tonight,” said Krieger.

Double Digit Hits

The Mariners offense was lights-out the whole game, tallying 12 hits. It was the first time this season Harwich ended with double digit hits.

The Mariners offense struck first after a Steve Englert “double steal” Special. Shortstop Ty Smolinski baited the Commodores catcher into throwing him out which allowed second baseman Julio Solier to steal home and get the Mariners on the board.

Harwich's aggressive baserunning took advantage of Falmouth's struggles on the mound, adding three runs on wild pitches.

Seven out of the nine batters Harwich played tonight all earned a hit. Catcher Conner Capece had himself a day at the dish, knocking two doubles and scoring twice.

Trent Grindlinger, the newest Mariners, was hit in the wrist earlier in the game on an inside fastball. During his next at-bat he punished a ball to deep left field for the team's first grand slam to put the Mariners up thirteen.

Mariners look to carry the momentum into the weekend riding a four game win streak.

What's Next?

The Mariners will host the Orleans Firebirds Friday night.

First pitch at 6:30 p.m.