The boys in camo red returned to Lowell Park in Cotuit on Sunday. Despite a dreary outcome last night, spirits were high as the team took in the beauty of the Kettleers’ home field.

Overcast skies covered Cotuit’s wooden and moss-green structures and fences. The American flag was nestled just below the tree line, sheltered from the breeze that whipped in from Cotuit Bay just beyond. Cape Cod’s only electronic scoreboard flashed on in center field.

Though the playoffs may be a pipe dream for Orleans, the Kettleers were only one game in front of the Wareham Gatemen in the West Division for the final playoff spot. Cotuit would be playing with purpose, though the Firebirds would just be playing for fun.

Perhaps playing loose was the key to victory all along. The Birds put up eight runs on Cotuit across nine hits. They showed a patient approach at the plate, walking nine times en route to their second victory against the Kettleers in 2026. Dominic Cadiz (UCLA) had a four hit night with two doubles. Adam Magpoc (SDSU) showed off his plus speed, stealing five bases. Andrew Cutler (George Washington) posted his best outing for Orleans — punching out eight Cotuit hitters over five innings of two-hit ball.

Cadiz ripped his 42nd hit of the season in the first inning, facing Cotuit starter Landen Doll. Though last night’s outcome wasn’t ideal for the Birds, it was another chapter in the book of an excellent season for Cadiz — who recorded two hits including his fourth homer.

Just last night, Cadiz had taken his UCLA teammate Angel Cervantes deep at Eldredge park. Cape League play often pits college teammates against each other. For a pure competitor like Cadiz, it’s a perfect arrangement.

“It felt great,” Cadiz said. “Obviously, he’s a great pitcher, having been drafted out of high school by the Pirates. I was just waiting for that offspeed pitch, and I smacked it over the fence. I’ve probably faced him about four times in intersquads. Yesterday was the first legit barrel I’ve gotten against him. I’d rather be facing those guys on other teams, just so we can compete against one another.”

Cadiz also explained the backstory of Cervantes’s sidekick Jerry — the plastic T-Rex.

“I think [Jerry] is just a confidence boost for him [Cervantes],” he said. “Our coach [John Savage] said that as long as he pitches well, he can keep Jerry out there. I don’t think Jerry liked that homer yesterday.”

As the CCBL hits leader, Cadiz explained the day-to-day actions that he’s taken to become one of the league’s best offensive players.

“It’s about routine and staying consistent,” Cadiz said. “You’ve got to make sure you’re recovering well after games, while also hitting and taking ground balls daily since there’s a game almost every day. My approach is to always try to hit the ball hard.”

Andrew Cutler (George Washington) took the mound in Cotuit. He had pitched three innings of shutout baseball against them in mid-June. Looking to replicate that performance, he started strong, striking out two ‘Kets in the first.

Casey Cumiskey (SNHU) continued his multi-week hot stretch. He singled to lead off the second, and advanced all the way to third on a poor throw by Doll that was meant to check him at first. Two Birds walked to fill up the bases. Garrett Larsen (Yale) couldn’t get it done. He lined out to Doll, who tossed to third for a double play. Only the Birds could suffer such misfortune.

Though Cutler usually pitches to weak contact, he continued fanning Kettleers in the second, picking up his third and fourth K’s.

Rowan Kelly (UCSB) worked a leadoff walk in the third, and Cadiz rocketed a double to left to send him to third. AJ Beltré (USD) brought Kelly in on a sac fly, giving the Birds another early lead.

Cutler was a man on a mission. He set two more Cotuit hitters down with strikeouts in the third. He already had six. He showed his excitement as he danced his way back to the dugout.

Doll walked four through as many innings, but Orleans still had only one run to show for it. The righty Cutler allowed his first hit of the day on a double to Landon Beaver, but cut down another Kettleer to get out of the fourth.

Mason Holloway replaced Doll in the fifth as mist came down from above. Beltré was hit by his eighth pitch of the year, and Tyler Myatt (Tennessee) made hard contact yet again — continuing his opposite-field approach with a double to left center, scoring Beltré. Cumiskey seemingly could do no wrong, as his second hit of the day scored Myatt with two outs. He added a steal of second. Orleans was up 3-0.

Cutler just kept shoving in the fifth. He recorded an eighth strikeout quickly. The ‘Kets tried to slow his roll with a bunt, but he quickly induced a grounder for a 6-4-3 double play, ending the inning. That would be it for Cutler, who had turned in the best start for Orleans in several days.

“I just felt like everything was working today,” Cutler said. “I had command of all four pitches. I haven’t been great as a starter here, but today was a definite improvement. I’ve been really working on my offspeed this summer. I feel confident taking that back to school.”

The Birds nearly pushed another run across in the top of the sixth, but Adam Magpoc (SDSU) was caught in a rundown between third and home after Larsen tapped back to the pitcher. D.C. Brown (Brown) looked to preserve the lead for Orleans in the bottom of the inning. The mist intensified. Brown surrendered the first two Cotuit runs of the day on a JJ Moran double. Issac Sturgess evened the score at three with a single.

Mist turned to light rain in the seventh. Cadiz didn’t care. He stroked yet another double down the left field line.

Harrison Thayer (UTRGV) entered for the bottom of the frame. He quickly retired three hitters, getting some help from Shaun McMillan (St. John’s) who made a nice diving stop at first.

Ryan MacDougall (Dayton) worked a pinch-hit walk in the eighth, and Tyler Harmony (Northeastern) took over for him at first. The plan didn’t pay off, as Harmony got picked off leading from first. Magpoc still worked a 10-pitch walk. Brendan Buecker (Monmouth) worked another long walk. Larsen laid down a perfect drag bunt to score Magpoc on the squeeze play. Kelly doubled down the left field line to score Buecker.

Aidan Healey took over for Holloway with one out. Cadiz added a sixth Birds’ run on an infield single. Beltré’s second sac fly brought in the seventh run. An aggressive baserunning approach had paid off for Orleans — as they had plated four in the eighth alone.

Thayer stayed in for a second inning despite being slotted to start in just a few days. Harmony took over at third and Cadiz shifted to first. Cotuit popped Thayer for two hits, punctuated by a sac fly. Another Harrison replaced the righty — as Drew Harrison (Southern Mississippi) took over. One flyout later, it was the Birds’ turn in the top of the ninth.

Harmony worked Orleans’ ninth walk. Magpoc stole his fourth and fifth bases of the day. Buecker’s sac fly scored him. Orleans had hung eight runs on Cotuit.

Harrison finished the ninth quickly, earning the second Birds’ save of 2026. Orleans had secured an 8-4 win for redemption. After their final day off on Monday, The Firebirds will take on the mighty Whitecaps at Eldredge on Tuesday.