The Firebirds traveled west on Route 6 to make their final appearance at Stony Brook Field in 2026. Over the last two meetings between these clubs, some possible bad blood was brewing. ‘Caps had been flipping bats left and right, but Orleans responded with a big win the last time they met at Eldredge.

In the final road game of the season, Orleans had a chance to steal a win from a team looking to be the top seed in the East Division. Brewster was just two wins back of Y-D, as the two most well-rounded clubs continued to duke it out. With a win, the Firebirds could make a 5-14 season road record look a little better.

Before the game kicked off, Brewster dished out team awards. The humongous Dane Harvey took home hitter of the year. Zach Kmatz was named Brewster’s best arm. The home run-slugging Jacob Lee was the obvious choice for team MVP. He’d sent a ball over the scoreboard at Stony Brook the last time the Birds visited.

Dominic Cadiz’s (UCLA) sixth home run, paired with another great day of situational hitting led the Birds to victory. Charlie Lapp (RPI), once the bullpen catcher for Orleans, turned in a four-walk performance and knocked in the go-ahead run — while also stealing two bags and throwing out a runner. Andrew Cutler (George Washington) grinded through another solid start. The Birds’ gritty team identity is finally coming through as the season comes to a close.

Nate Taylor was the chosen starter for the ‘Caps. The Birds top two both reached, but Adam Magpoc (SDSU) rolled one over for an easy double play.

Cutler had the ball for the Birds. Last time out against Cotuit, he’d notched his best start of the year — fanning eight Kettleers. Today, Charlie Lapp would be receiving. It was his first start for Orleans. He’d also served as a defensive replacement late in one game versus Bourne. The chemistry between the two appeared strong, as Cutler struck out two to finish the first.

The Birds produced minimal traffic in the second. Cutler waltzed back to the rubber. He froze Dane Harvey. Then he caught Cash Strayer looking at his shoes. He had four K’s in just two frames.

Orleans struck first. Cadiz connected for another extra-base hit to lead off the third. He seemingly just extended the barrel out to the ball, but 375 feet later it had traveled over the center fielder’s head. After a Magpoc fly ball moved Cadiz to third, Casey Cumiskey (SNHU) ripped one hard to short. Jake Lambdin made a diving stab to stop the ball from rolling into the outfield, but Cadiz still scored.

Lambdin was the ‘Caps first baserunner after an infield single in the bottom of the frame. Tryston McLaddie finally did damage— ripping a triple to left field to tie the game. Cutler escaped the inning soon after.

Lapp worked a third walk in his third Cape League plate appearance, then proceeded to steal his first base. Garrett Larsen (Yale) wore one. Rowan Kelly (UCSB) couldn’t cash in.

Cutler got Jacob Lee to chase, then induced two flyouts to get through the fourth.

For the second straight day, Cadiz belted a homer. It hugged the left field line, barely staying fair as the righty watched it fly. The ball clanged off the Whitecaps bullpen bleachers, delivering the relievers a present. Tyler Harmony (Northeastern) reached on an error and swiped second, but was picked off taking a wide turn around third after Brendan Buecker (Monmouth) rolled one to the second baseman. Orleans had a two-run lead.

The Birds' righty breezed through the fifth, as Cumiskey turned a tailor-made double play. Jordan Regulski had the sixth for Brewster. He was blowing 96 miles an hour. The Birds got two runners, but couldn’t push another run across.

Cutler was back for the sixth. Two hits quickly tied the game at two. Jacob Lee’s seventh homer knocked Cutler out of the game, spoiling an otherwise solid start and putting the ‘Caps up by two runs. Joe Nottingham (Georgia) took over with one out, still needing to quiet Harvey’s bat. Luckily, he chopped one weakly to second. Another grounder finally ended the half inning, but Orleans would need to mount a late comeback.

The Birds stranded their tenth and 11th runners as Regulski quieted them in the seventh. Nottingham was back out. He worked quickly, getting three outs on soft contact.

Lapp worked his fourth walk of the game in the eighth. Larsen took another free base. A double from Kelly scored Lapp, but Larsen was cut down at home running on his heels after a traffic jam on the bases. Luckily, Kelly was able to advance to third, and he came in to score on a Cadiz groundout. The Birds had it all tied up.

Thanks to two K’s from Nottingham and Lapp cutting down a runner stealing second, it was still tied going into the ninth. Cumiskey led it off with his second hit. He had 12 multi-hit games in his last 15 games. Harmony bunted himself on. A sacrifice bunt from Buecker put both runners in scoring position. Ryan MacDougall (Dayton) was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Lapp stepped into the box. He stared the bat down, took a deep breath, then slapped one to short. It was enough for Cumiskey to score. The catcher had capped off an amazing day with the go ahead run. Nottingham needed three more outs to secure a come-from-behind win.

Kelly made a sliding grab in center to rob Harvey of a hit. Nottingham K’d Strayer. With runners on first and second, he induced a grounder for the save. The Firebirds stunned the Whitecaps at their home field.

In his first time starting for Orleans, Charlie Lapp had provided a summer-defining performance.

“I was just trusting my process,” Lapp said. “I’ve spent years and years playing this game, it’s just a bigger stage. I was just looking for my pitch up there, and I was able to stay within my zone.”

For a catcher that's still learning the ins and outs of the Firebirds pitching staff, Lapp did his best to stay in lock-step with starter Andrew Cutler.

“I was just following his lead,” Lapp said. “It was my first time catching one of these guys in a game. I was just doing my part to make his pitches look better.”

With just two Firebirds games left to play at Eldredge, Lapp offered his biggest takeaways from the summer.

“Division I, II, III, it’s all the same game,” he said. “We’re all just here enjoying what we have.”