After the clay settled in a clash between the best of the West in the Wareham Gatemen, and the beast in the East in the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, a true dominant force stood atop the league on Sunday evening.

In a much-anticipated game between the two top teams in the league, the Gatemen (13-5-1) took a 7-3 victory over the Red Sox (13-6) in authoritative fashion to sit atop of the hill of the CCBL for the time being.

Following a night where every facet of the game seemed to be clicking for Wareham securing its second win in a row, it enjoyed an off day Monday before a three-game home stretch begins with the first of three teams in the Chatham Anglers (10-9) on Tuesday evening at Spillane Field.

The Gatemen are 1-1 against the Anglers in 2024, winning the latest contest, 8-2, on June 27 backed by a career day in a Gatemen uniform from outfielder Brendan Summerhill (Arizona). In the leadoff spot, Summerhill slashed 3-for-5 at the plate collecting six RBI including a grand slam while also swiping a pair of bases.

Starting pitching

Wareham puts the ball in the hand of right-hander Darin Horn (Coastal Carolina) to build off a previous strong performance.

In Horn’s first appearance for the Gatemen on July 2, the 6-foot-4 starter tossed four innings of scoreless work, fanning five batters, walking just one and giving up three hits en route to a 4-0 win over the Harwich Mariners. Horn enters Tuesday with a 0.00 ERA and holds opponents to the Mendoza line with a .200 batting average.

After not pitching for the Chanticleers in 2024 due to a labrum injury that did not require surgery, Horn is eagerly looking to keep the same energy and momentum on the mound.

For Chatham, 5-foot-11 righty Brian Zeldin (Georgia) gets his first start on the mound for the Anglers in his third appearance of the season. Zeldin boasts a 1.50 ERA in six innings pitched, giving up just three hits and three walks while striking out eight batters. In two more innings thrown, Zeldin edges Horn with a .150 opponents average against.

The 23-year-old graduate student made a team-high 23 relief appearances for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2024, posting a 5.66 ERA and punching out 52 batters in 55 ⅔ innings of work.

Players to watch

Wareham continues to lead the league with a .268 team batting average, and for head coach Ryan Smyth, you never know what you're going to get from this lineup as a new player seems to step up with a highlight reel every game.

Second baseman Bobby Boser (transfer portal) anchors the Gatemen lineup as arguably the most consistent hitter in the CCBL, coming off of a hitter of the week award just a week ago. He leads the team in virtually every offensive category, hitting .333/.459/.533 with a .992 OPS and a team-high six doubles.

However, the latest highlight reels for Wareham come in the form of a hot-hitting cleanup hitter and third baseman Murf Gray (Fresno State). Gray certainly found his rhythm in the past week after mashing his first CCBL home run of the season in the top of the ninth against Brewster on Saturday with a tape measure-worthy 420-foot long ball. He followed up the next game against YD with a 2-for-5 day launching two more homers, including a 436-foot rocket off the bat at 109 mph, collecting his sixth RBI in 48 hours.

At 6-4, 210 pounds, Gray has a high ceiling to continue to grow into his body while flashing a premium glove in the hot corner. The Fresno State Bulldog is currently slashing .290/.413/.452 with a team-high 15 RBI.

The Anglers have a hot stick of their own, with center fielder Austin Overn (USC) leading the offensive charge for Chatham. In 70 at-bats, Overn’s slashing .329/.397/.586 while coming off a 3-for-6 night at the plate including two RBI and his third homer of the season.

Overn poses an immediate threat for Wareham in the leadoff spot, as he played a crucial role in a come-from-behind 13-12 win against Harwich in extra innings where his homer came in the first at-bat of the game to center field. After being down 10-3 in the fifth inning, Chatham mounted an unlikely comeback, pushing them a game above .500 and to second place in the East.

Baseball is a game of momentum, and the Gatemen will look to extinguish the Anglers' flame and continue to fuel their own on Tuesday evening.

First pitch for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Spillane Field. The game will be broadcast via Cape League TV.

Top photo credit: Murf Gray hits a home run in Wareham's 7-3 victory over the Y-D Red Sox on July 7, 2024, at "Red" Wilson Field. Photo by Andrew Duffy