The skies above Stony Brook Field were hazy as the Gatemen got off the bus Wednesday. The cold ocean breeze and the misty rain created a scene less like a summer night at a Cape Cod League ballpark and more like a fisherman’s worst nightmare.
The fog continued to thicken as time and the game progressed. The American Flag in centerfield waved in a shroud of mist and the lanky trees that lined the outfield walls were barely visible. As two other Cape League games were canceled because of the invasive fog, talk only grew about this game being pushed.
The Gatemen were swifter, however, moving the game past the fifth inning and defeating the Brewster Whitecaps 8-1 in seven innings before the game was called off. The victory inches Wareham closer to a ticket to the 2024 postseason, which would be their first playoff bid since 2019. That season, the then-defending Cape League champions, were defeated in the first round by Cotuit, who would go on to win the Cape League championship that summer. This year, however, the Gatemen look to make it back to the dance and make a deep postseason run.
“It's always a good time when you know you can be in the playoffs. I think the organization deserves it, you know, but these guys are doing all the hard work they're playing their tails off day in and day out,” said Wareham Gatemen manager Ryan Smyth about what it would mean to be in the postseason.
These Gatemen have played their tails off as of late, winning three of their last four games and winning their last two in dominant fashion. Tonight’s win against the Whitecaps nearly mirrored their performance the previous night against the Firebirds. The Gatemen offense scored 8 runs on 10 hits with 5 of these runs coming in the top of the 4th inning.
The 4th again was the Gatemen’s favorite inning, as four Gatemen drove in RBI and six Gatemen got a hit. One Gateman to cash in during this hitting onslaught was Wareham first baseman Eli Putnam (Davidson) who drove in 2 runs on a single to right field in the 4th. Putnam had been on a hitting slump, going 3 for 19 in his last five games. Despite the negative statistic, Putnam has stayed positive and continued to crush the ball into play.
“I mean, statistically, it was a pretty tough stretch. But if you go back and look at some of those outs, a lot of them are hard outs. Orleans kind of stole a couple of homers from me. So just trying to look at the balls that I'm putting in play and the process that I'm having at the plate instead of just the results. That's a good way to keep an even keel and not get too down or too up,” Putnam said.
His 2 RBI single came at a crucial time in the 4th, taking advantage of an Antonio Jimenez (UCF) double and doubling the Gatemen’s lead. It was a hit that helped the team in that situation. It also sparked more hits from the Gateman lineup, including a sacrifice fly from Aris Rivera (UCF) which brought in a run. The game marked Rivera’s Cape League debut, where he went 1 for 2 with 2 RBI. The UCF Knight had been on the bench for a couple of days after getting off a flight, getting acclimated with the team before getting the start. Once he settled into his position, he performed well, giving the team another offensive spark, something he wanted to do for the team he quickly became fond of.
“It feels great. I love this team. I love the energy we bring, the characters and personalities on the team; every guy hangs out with one another and everyone has great talks together and has a great time playing. We play hard, play high energy, and it's just a lot of fun,” he said about being a Gateman.
This camaraderie has allowed this team to shine this summer and put themselves in a position to go far in the postseason. On top of the complete team win, the Gatemen had other reasons to celebrate. The Gatemen and Whitecaps coaching staff had a Keystone Knights reunion as 8 coaches spanning both teams worked at Keystone College this past spring, including manager Ryan Smyth and bench coach Gary Ruby.
Tonight’s game was also a cool moment for Coach Gary, who played against his grandson Rocco DePietro, the Whitecaps’ assistant coach. The two have been around baseball together for as long as they can remember from Rocco’s days in Little League to their time as co-workers in Keystone. Tonight was different, however, as they once again had to be adversaries on the diamond.
“It’s pretty cool. It is weird to see him on the other side of the field but it is nice to see him and that he’s doing well. He does lay into me a little more though when he beats us so it makes the handshake line a little more interesting,” Coach Gary said.
Coach Gary got the last laugh tonight, however, with the win. He and his team are now closer than ever to securing their first playoff bid in 5 years. The victory against the Whitecaps was thought to punch the Gatemen's ticket, however, Wareham needed a Falmouth loss to make their postseason dreams a reality. They will officially get into the playoffs with a win or a Falmouth loss on Thursday night. The Gatemen can secure a playoff spot on the road in a clash with the East Division-best Y-D Red Sox. First pitch is slated for 5 pm at Red Wilson Field in South Yarmouth, MA.
Top Photo Caption: Eli Putnam about to swing his bat in Wareham's 7-2 loss at Falmouth on July 21st, 2024. Photo by Keegan Maloney.
Article Edited July 25, 2024.
