Coming off their biggest win of the year, the Firebirds were met with an opportunity to capitalize on their ascending play, as a win against the visiting Harwich Mariners would clinch them a spot in the playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Birds, however, they will have to hold off on celebrating a trip to the post-season. A multi-error sixth inning helped the Mariners put three runs on the board which, despite loading the bases with no outs in the eighth, the Birds were unable to overcome.

For the Firebirds defense, it was a tale of two halves, as the first five innings were controlled by Miles Gosztola (Gonzaga) who quickly put a solo homer behind him and threw a staggering eight strikeouts in his five-inning outing.

Evan Griffis (Stetson), who gave Gosztola his first run support of the night with a double that sent Bennett Markinson (Northwestern) home, knows the Birds found a good one in the nineteen-year-old Gosztola.

"Every time he's on the mound we know we're going to have a good chance to win," said Griffis.

"His confidence makes him a great young player, he's going to be special."

Following the loss, the Birds have a long day ahead of them on Saturday. First, at noon, the Bourne Braves will travel to Eldredge Park for a game that was meant to be played a little under a week ago, and then the Birds will head up to Doran Park to play the Braves at their house.

Even with both games in the home and home doubleheader only being seven innings, it still looks to be a busy day of baseball for the Birds, who plan to stay locked into the moment.

"We're just going to play baseball, be tough, and not think about the day ahead," Evan Griffis said.

"Just go out there and win, do our job."