It’s been eight years since the Birds last won the CCBL East Division. That all changed this summer. While it was no easy feat, that alone was not enough for Orleans to advance past the first round of playoffs.
Sweeping the series, the Red Sox advanced to the second round, while the Birds ended their playoff bid almost as quickly as it began.
Taking the first game 4–1 at Eldredge Park, Y–D followed suit the next night with another dominant 9–2 victory.
The end of Orleans’ regular season was nothing short of a comeback run. After beginning July ranked last in the division, the Birds ended the regular season on top—winning seven of their last eight regular season matchups.
But the playoffs provided a clean slate for both teams. Despite dropping six of their last eight games, the Red Sox managed to shut out Orleans in front of a packed Red Wilson Field on Wednesday night.
Throughout the entirety of the matchup, the Birds were unable to find their footing. Despite limiting the number of errors from the night before, Orleans was unable to convert offensively—posting just two runs off six hits.
The same cannot be said for the Red Sox, who put up 14 hits against the No. 1 ranked team in the division.
And it didn’t take too long for Y-D to make a dent on the scoreboard.
In fact, it only took them one inning to get something going, thanks to a Chris Hacopian (Maryland) single that brought home Jayce Tharnish (St. Bonaventure) on the play.
The Red Sox were not done just yet, though. Their bats were just heating up, as the Birds’ went silent.
The third time was not the charm for Orleans. Once everything seemed to unravel defensively for the Birds, Y–D took advantage of the opportunity. And made the most of it.
Stretching its lead to four by the time the inning capped off, Y–D took control of the contest—refusing to look back.
Orleans wasn’t completely out of the fight, though. In the bottom of the fourth, after two consecutive walks from Dawson Bryce (Charlotte) and Robbie Lavey (George Washington), all eyes were on the Wildcat Ryan Kucherak (Northwestern).
Stepping up to the plate, Kucherak needed to make something happen at bat if the Birds wanted to chip away at the Red Sox’s lead. But he was unable to do just that, striking out, as the Red Sox’s dugout erupted with cheers.
It took five innings for Orleans to put any runs on the board, while Y-D already had increased its lead to six runs by the time the fifth inning rolled around.
A Red Sox throwing error ultimately ignited a spark in the Birds offense—advancing Javar Williams (Wake Forest).
Tyler Myatt, the junior college player of the year, did not falter either during his at bat. Off a line drive single to left field, Myatt gave Orleans fans a slight relief.
That only intensified when Alejandro Garza (Cal Poly) notched a single of his own during the next play.
Just as he did in the previous night’s game, Landon Hairston (Arizona State) came up big again for Orleans with an RBI that gave the squad their first run of the night.
And an Anthony Potestio (UC San Diego) RBI did just the same—cutting Y–D’s lead back down to four runs.
Unfortunately, for the Birds, that would be the first and last time that they were on the scoreboard in the matchup.
However, it wouldn’t be the last for the No. 4 seeded Red Sox, who put on another three runs before the game concluded.
Even in defeat, this Firebirds roster left a legacy beyond simply the box score. From last in the standings earlier in the summer to the CCBL East division winners, their season will surely not be forgotten.
