After an afternoon under the microscope of MLB scouts at the CCBL’s Fenway Day, Wareham returns to Cape League play on Friday. Wareham batters won’t be trying to swing over the monster in left field, but can slay the East Division's top team: the Bourne Braves.
Both squads come in on losing streaks and have started the month of July, the longest month of the Cape League calendar, on rocky terms. Wareham’s ninth-inning comeback bid fell just short at home on Wednesday against Brewster, and Bourne has recently dropped matchups to Brewster and Hyannis. While Thursday was counted as a league off-day, it wasn’t truly a rest day with the entire Cape League looking to impress in Boston. Bats, gloves and arms should all be in form from first pitch.
Wareham hosts Bourne, the 2025 Cape Cod Baseball League champions, for the first of two straight matchups. The Gatemen then head over the bridge for a 4th of July faceoff against the Braves.
Starting Pitchers: Alba vs. Walton
Bourne: Jaden Alba (Arizona State) has only allowed one earned run over five appearances and 12 innings. His last start, seven days ago against the Whitecaps, saw that single run come across but Alba also fanned six batters over five frames. Alba is one of just 14 pitchers in the entire Cape League with an ERA below 1.00 (.075), and his 2.80 strikeout-to-walk ratio indicates that he is ready to challenge Gatemen batters.
Wareham: Wade Walton (High Point) has been a swing-and-miss king for the Gatemen. He ranks second on Wareham with 15 K’s and at one point was a leader in the CCBL for strikeouts, and could return to that mark against a Braves squad that has fanned 143 times already this summer. Walton last started against Yarmouth-Dennis, the Cape League’s top team, and now looks to bring his strikeout stuff against the leaders in the East Division.
Players To Watch
Braves: Consistency is key over the course of the CCBL season. Blake Schaaf (Wake Forest) has followed this model to a T this past week with a five-game hit streak and two straight nights in the leadoff position. He is one of seven Bourne batters with double-digit base knocks this summer and ranks in the top 3 of nearly every offensive category. Schaaf, a left-handed hitter, faces the righty Walton which could present a tough challenge out of the gate.
Gatemen: Noah Sheffield (Michigan) recently committed to the Wolverines just hours ago after tallying his first two hits for Wareham, one of those coming in a crucial position to load the bases in the ninth inning. He also stole a base and reached twice on walks: a fully positive performance in one of his first games at Spillane Field. Sheffield only joined Wareham a few days ago, and will continue to improve on performances as he grows familiarity.
First pitch from a hot, 94-degree Spillane Field is set for 6:00. Wareham fans can brave the heat and catch the action at no cost, or tune in from anywhere on Cape League TV.
