Orleans, Mass. — Bouncing back from a tough loss is always a great feeling, especially in baseball, where heartbreaking losses can happen.
The Wareham Gatemen are no stranger to those losses, having one in their previous game against the Y-D Red Sox, where they gave up three runs in the top of the ninth in a 3-3 game. However, they were quick to brush it off, get back on their feet, and deliver.
The Gatemen (6-7) defeated the Orleans Firebirds (6-7) in their first trip to Eldrege Park this summer by a score of 6-4. It was a win the Gatemen needed, especially heading into another day off on Monday.
The game started in favor of Orleans, who opened the scoring in the bottom of the third. Michael Crossland (UC San Diego) scored his college teammate Anthony Potestio (UC San Diego) on a sacrifice fly to make it 1-0 Firebirds.
The Gatemen then got on the board in the top of the fourth thanks to a 2-RBI single from center fielder Hayden Yost (Florida) after lead-off walks to start the inning.
That put the Gatemen ahead by a run, but it was shortstop Kyuss Gargett (Kentucky) who opened up a lead in the fifth with a solo home run to left center field. It was Gargett’s first home run of the summer, building off his successes at the plate.
“It's just us putting the ball in play, honestly, and limiting the routine outs and making it harder on the opposing team. It felt pretty good to get a hold of one tonight with a big crowd here. It was a cool atmosphere to play in,” said Gargett.
Gargett has become the Gatemen’s most clutch bat this season, delivering timely hits to put his team in a great position to score.
“He's probably now won us maybe three games with his bat. You know, the Hyannis game. He had a really good at-bat where he fouled off a bunch of pitches. Then, he ended up smoking a ball to the third baseman. That was a really tough play. He ended up throwing it away, and we scored a couple of runs on that. So the confidence is building, and I like seeing that the swings are good. I hope to see a lot more of that from him going forward,” said Gatemen Field Manager Ryan Smyth.
His homer inspired designated hitter, Levi Clark (Tennessee), who homered in the same inning to right field to make it 4-1 Gatemen. From that point on, the Gatemen were in control and did not relinquish the lead.
Orleans would score in the fifth to make it 4-2, but the Gatemen punched right back with Gargett getting his second RBI to score right-fielder Easton Breyfogle (Arizona).
Breyfogle made his Cape League debut and had a great night to start his career with the Gatemen. He went 2 for 3 with a walk and a run, with one of those hits being a triple to the right field fence.
“It feels great to be here. We had a good run at Arizona, so that was fun. But now it's on to summer ball and just trying to get some reps in, win some games. And you know, hopefully win it all,” said Breyfogle.
The Arizona Wildcat is teammates with Brendan Summerhill, who was a Gateman in 2024, and learned a lot from him about Cape Cod and the Gatemen’s success.
“We talked about it yesterday. I just asked him, ‘Hey, anything I need to know, like tips or tricks or anything?’ And he's like, just go up there every at bat, like it's game seven of the World Series, keep battling pitch by pitch,” said Breyfogle.
Breyfogle’s offensive performance kept the Gatemen ahead and in control, despite the Firebirds threatening in the bottom of the seventh, with a 2-RBI single from Abbrie Covarrubias (USC).
The Gatemen did get another insurance run thanks to Ty Dalley (Clemson) scoring on a passed ball to make it 6-4, but it was the Gatemen's bullpen that held down the fort for the rest of the game.
Returning Gateman Tate McGuire (Arkansas) made his first appearance of the summer in relief, retiring three straight batters in his one inning of work, with two of those outs being strikeouts. Ty Starke (Louisville) also made his Cape League debut on the mound in relief in the seventh inning.
However, it was Kaleb Applebey (Austin Peay State) who closed out the game, pitching 3 innings, striking out 3 batters, and allowing only one hit. He also retired the last three outs on his own, sealing the win.
“Always feels great to close your baseball games. I did that at school a lot, and that's something I've taken a lot of pride in. And just be able to go out there and finish the game for my guys, at the end of the day, that's what matters,” said Applebey.
Applebey, known by his teammates as ‘Big Country’, delivered a big save for the Gatemen, giving the team its sixth win of the season. He now rooms with McGuire and played travel ball with Starke, deepening his connection to the new additions to the bullpen.
“I like to talk to and meet new friends, so it's great. I, fortunately, get to move in with Tate tomorrow, so that's going to be good. Then, Ty, I kind of knew him a little bit. He played on one of my old travel ball teams, the Indiana Nitro team. Shout out, Coach Burns, but it’s always nice to meet new guys,” said Applebey.
The Gatemen have a day off on Monday before starting a six-game stretch to start the month of July. Their next game will be against the Chatham Anglers at Veterans Field in Chatham on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
