This is it.
The 2025 Cape Cod Baseball League season enters its final day before the playoffs. The Wareham Gatemen enter their final regular-season game just below .500 after suffering four straight losses.
However, the club already punched its ticket to the 2025 postseason on Tuesday with a 9-0 win over the Chatham Anglers. Since then, they have rested star players and aimed to test their depth before the start of the playoffs.
Going into Sunday, the Gatemen fell out of first place in the West; however, they will be the No. 2 seed in the postseason after Hyannis’ 7-6 walk-off loss to Orleans on Saturday. Hyannis’ loss brings a sense of urgency for the Harbor Hawks since they have not yet clinched.
The Gatemen have a chance to play Falmouth, Cotuit or Hyannis in the first round of the playoffs. The Gatemen will play the Commodores with a win over Hyannis and a Falmouth win over Cotuit, which would result in the elimination of Hyannis, as the Harbor Hawks need a win or a Falmouth loss to clinch a postseason spot.
The Gatemen do have a better chance at playing the Kettleers, however, as regardless of the result of their game with the Harbor Hawks, a Cotuit win over Falmouth will result in the Gatemen facing the Kettleers in the first round for the second consecutive year.
They could also play Hyannis again in the first round with a loss and a Falmouth win over Cotuit. Both games in the West are crucial to the structure of the postseason bracket and impact who the Gatemen’s opponent will be on Tuesday.
Starting pitchers
The Gatemen have yet to announce their starting pitcher for Sunday's game. It seems to be a game-time decision to save arms for the postseason. It could potentially be a bullpen night to save starters for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Harbor Hawks will start left-hander Mason Russell (Arizona). Russell has appeared in six games, starting one, and has posted a 6.75 ERA through 13 ⅓ innings pitched with 14 hits, 11 runs (10 earned), nine walks and six strikeouts.
His last start was against the Cotuit Kettleers on Tuesday. In that game, he pitched three innings with five hits, three runs (two earned), one walk and three strikeouts.
Players to watch
For Wareham:
- Foster Apple (Stetson) has made an impact in his short time with the Gatemen. On Saturday against Falmouth, he crushed his first home run of the summer and the first hit for the team during the game.
- Hayden Yost (Florida) scored the second run for the Gatemen on Saturday. He is both a great bat in the lineup as well as a great fielder in center field.
For Hyannis:
- Ryan McKay (Michigan State) has been dominant in Hyannis’ lineup all summer, batting .310. He went 2-for-5 with three RBIs during Saturday’s 7-6 loss to Orleans.
- Deiten LaChance (McLennan JC) also had a good night at the plate on Saturday. He went 2-for-4 with a walk, three RBIs and three runs scored.
First pitch for Sunday's game will be at 6 p.m. at McKeon Park in Hyannis. You can attend the game for free, or you can tune in to the Gatemen’s radio broadcast with Cory Miller, Josh Richardson and Rayna Maggelet on the call by clicking HERE.
