As the saying goes, “You can’t win 'em all,” and that certainly rings true in the Cape Cod Baseball League. While the season may not be as gigantic as a 162-game Major League season, 40 games in 56 days is still a lengthy stretch, and teams are bound to lose games.
The Wareham Gatemen (0-1), unfortunately experienced the sour taste of defeat sooner than they would have liked, losing, 7-2, to the Hyannis Harbor Hawks (1-0) in their first game of the season. It was a tight 1-1 contest through seven innings, but the Gatemen defense collapsed in the eighth inning, giving up six runs on three hits and three walks, which became the decisive moment in the game.
The Gatemen did have some positives to take away, however. Daniel Powell (Kennesaw State) had a good start for the Gatemen, pitching three innings and punching out two batters while giving up two hits and a run. It is a role he did not play much with the Owls this spring, being a dominant reliever during his college season.
Speaking of relief, Gatemen pitchers Jordan Stephens (Georgia) and Kaleb Applebey (Austin Peay State) had great outings, pitching a combined four innings and giving up no hits, no runs and only three walks.
Luckily for the Gatemen, they do not have time to dwell on the loss, as they hit the road Sunday to face Cotuit. This marks the first road trip of the season for the Gatemen and their first trip to Lowell Park since their Round 1 playoff exit to the Kettleers in 2024.
The Gatemen struggled against the Ketts last summer, going 2-4 against them, including the playoff loss. This year, however, they look to change that as the 2025 team is hungry for its first win.
Starting pitchers
Getting the start for the Gatemen is the southpaw Chase Richter (Arkansas State). Richter served as primarily a reliever pitcher for the Red Wolves, pitching 54 innings, posting a 3-4 record with eight saves, which was 38th best nationally and second best in the Sun Belt, being the second-most saves in a single season in Red Wolves history.
He has struck out 53 batters in 228 batters faced, giving up 39 hits, 27 runs (22 earned), 22 walks and a 3.67 ERA. Richter was ranked 30th nationally and third in the Sun Belt with 28 appearances this season.
The Ketts will throw left-hander Cole Carlon (Arizona State). The Sun Devil just finished his sophomore season, posting a 3-1 record and a 3.33 ERA in 29 appearances.
He also mainly served as a reliever pitcher, matching Richter’s 54 innings pitched this spring. In that span, he struck out 86 batters, giving up only 32 hits, 25 walks and 23 runs (20 earned). If he is as hot as he was this past spring, he could cause the Gatemen lineup some trouble.
Players to watch
The Gatemen were able to grab five hits in their loss to the Harbor Hawks on Saturday. Two of them came off the bat of Ty Dalley (Mercer). He went 2-for-3 with a walk, grabbing an RBI-double to give the Gatemen their first run of the season. Look for him to be in the heart of the order Sunday and build off that great night at the plate.
Another Gateman to watch is infielder Shamaar McDuffie (Kennesaw State). McDuffie came to pinch-hit in the bottom of the ninth in Saturday's game, and in his one at-bat, he doubled down the right-field line, scoring a run to put the Gatemen within five. Look for him to potentially start Sunday and make an impact at the plate.
For the Ketts, Camden Johnson (Wichita State) had a great night Saturday, going 2-for-5 and scoring a run in Cotuit’s 5-4 loss to Orleans. During that game, Cotuit forced Orleans to the bottom of the ninth after a sacrifice fly hit from Jarren Advincula (California).
Advincula returns to the Kettleers for his second summer. In 2024, he dominated at the plate, hitting .392 with 51 hits and 17 RBIs in 38 games on the Cape. Look for both of these hitters to be the heart of this Cotuit lineup.
Another name to look out for is Zane Coppersmith (Stetson). Coppersmith pitched with the Gatemen in 2024 and has had a great start to his summer this year. In Saturday night’s loss to Orleans, he pitched three innings of relief, giving up only two hits and getting four punchouts. He could potentially pitch again Sunday against his former team.
The Gatemen face off against the Kettleers 5 p.m. Sunday at Lowell Park. You can either attend the game with free admission or you can tune in to the Gatemen’s radio broadcast, with Cory Miller, Josh Richardson and Rayna Maggelet on the call, by clicking HERE.
