The first time the Wareham Gatemen and the Hyannis Harbor Hawks played each other in the 2024 season, the Gatemen won 11-6 in the midst of a six-game win streak to take first place in the Cape League West Division. The second time, the Hawks won 12-5, ending Wareham’s win streak.
When the two teams meet Friday, each will look to establish their dominance over the other. Wareham will arrive in Hyannis on a two-game win streak after tying 8-8 with Bourne on July Fourth. The Gatemen hold sole possession of first place in the West Division with an 11-4-1 record, and continue to lead the league in multiple offensive records, including batting average (.264), doubles (32) and slugging percentage (.429). Hyannis will look to improve upon its 6-1 home record, with its most recent win coming against the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
Starting pitchers
Braeden Sloan (TCU) will toe the rubber in his fourth start for the Gatemen, currently holding a 6.55 ERA across 11 innings of work. The left-hander started against Hyannis on June 23 but only pitched two innings before he was relieved, allowing five runs, giving up four walks and hitting two batters across 13 batters faced. However, Sloan has proven when his confidence is high and his pitches are working, he can fool batters with his breaking balls and changeups.
Blaine Wynk (Ohio State) is set to make his fourth start of the summer for the Hawks, boasting a 2.89 ERA in 9 1/3 innings pitched. Wynk made the start against the Gatemen on June 28, striking out four batters and allowing two runs across four innings of work. In his sophomore year at Ohio State, the right-hander posted a 3.38 ERA in 39 innings of work, striking out 38 batters and walking nine.
Players to watch
Antonio Jimenez (UCF) hit his third home run of the summer Thursday night in Wareham’s 8-8 tie with Bourne, showcasing the power in his bat. He also put on a defensive clinic, making a sliding grab in foul territory to end an inning and snagging multiple hard-hit ground balls at shortstop. Jimenez hit his second home run of the season against Hyannis on June 23. In Wareham’s second meeting with the Hawks, he went 0-for-3 with two walks. On the season, Jimenez is batting an even .200 and leads the team with 11 walks.
Nick Groves (Niagara) is tied for the most hits on the Hawks with 17, batting .333 with a .452 on-base percentage. Groves went 2-for-4 with a double against the Gatemen on June 28, and is coming off a 3-for-3 performance against Y-D. In his sophomore season at Niagara, the outfielder hit .326 with 38 RBI and 14 home runs.
Friday’s game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. first pitch at McKeon Park, and will be broadcast on Cape League TV.
Top photo credit: Colby Turner and Gio Cueto meet at home plate during Wareham's 8-8 tie with the Bourne Braves, July 4, 2024. Photo by Keegan Maloney.
