Photo credit: Raj Das, ED Photography
In a matchup between the Firebirds and Harbor Hawks that was meant to be played five days prior, the Birds struck first.
Following Hudson Shupe (Gonzaga) earning his eighth walk of the summer, Jack Gurevitch (San Diego) added a twelfth RBI to his team-high total with a two-run shot over the left-center wall.
Brennan Seiber (Vanderbilt), who threw four no-hit innings in the Birds win, couldn't be more thrilled for the success of his teammate and friend, Jack Gurevitch.
"He's a great energy because he's both a serious competitor and a friend to everybody and you always love seeing those guys succeed on the field," Seiber said.
"Getting the lead in the first inning and then adding onto it, just a great day for him, and you're always excited when your friends do well like that."
Gurevitch's addition to the Firebirds lead came in the third inning, as he laid down a bunt that brought Bennett Markinson home (Northwestern).
After Hyannis chipped away at the Firebirds 3-2 lead against the arms of Caleb Freeman (North Greenville) and Matthew Dalquist (UC San Diego) in the fifth, another new face, Max Gitlin (Clark), took the mound.
Gitlin, who made his Orleans debut throwing a no-hit seventh inning that featured two strikeouts, was content being thrown into the fire and is ready to make an impact.
"It's always to get your feet wet the first time and get going right away with a summer ball team," said Gitlin.
"Coming in, I just want to help these guys any way I can, and I know I'm late into the season, but there's still a lot of ball to play."
Mike Mancini (Vanderbilt) quickly took advantage of Gitlins scoreless seventh, driving in his fourth double of the summer, which eventually brought him home on a passed ball.
Mancini's scamper home gave the Birds a two-run, 4-2 cushion, which protected them from a one-run ninth from Hyannis, and led to the eighth win of the summer for Orleans.
The win paired with a Harwich loss puts the Birds two games out of the East playoffs, a spot Brennan Seiber knows they are capable of earning if they continue playing their brand of ball.
"We just gotta focus on the things we did well," said Seiber
"The roster is super deep with a ton of contributors on all levels, and continuing to play together and picking each other up will help us get to where we want to be."
The Birds will continue in their hunt for the East's final playoff spot, and their three-game home stand, as they welcome the division-leading Y-D Red Sox to Eldredge for a 6:30 matchup.
