One unique part of playing baseball on Cape Cod is the chance of a fog delay. With most ballparks being minutes away from the ocean, this phenomenon becomes as likely as a rain delay.
The Gatemen were able to bounce back with a dominant 10-2 win over the Orleans Firebirds just before the fog rolled in and shortened the game. It was a win Wareham needed after a tough 5-2 loss to Brewster that was partially interrupted by a rain delay Tuesday.
Now, the Gatemen return home to face the Bourne Braves for the third time this season. The Braves have won the first two meetings of this season’s Battle of the Bridge, winning 5-2 on July Fourth at Spillane Field and 4-3 at Doran Park after five innings when the game was called due to extreme weather.
The Braves, however, have not played since Tuesday since their game against Harwich at Doran Park was fogged out, resulting in its postponement to July 23.
The Gatemen hope to keep their hopes of winning a season series against Bourne alive Friday while continuing the momentum they built on Wednesday.
Starting pitchers
The Gatemen and the Braves will throw out the same starting pitchers as their previous meeting on Independence Day. The Gatemen will throw star right-hander Tate McGuire (Arkansas) on the mound.
In his first start of 2025 last Friday against the Braves, McGuire threw three innings, allowed only two hits and a walk, and struck out a batter. He has only pitched four innings but has yet to allow a run to score, making him a valuable piece to the Gatemen’s starting rotation. Look for him to continue his dominance Friday.
The Braves will place southpaw Folger Boaz (North Carolina) on the mound. Boaz pitched 3 2/3 innings against the Gatemen on July Fourth. He allowed four hits, only one earned run, three walks and struck out four.
Boaz’s start against the Gatemen ended much better than his start against the Kettleers on June 28, so look for him to once again perform well on the rubber Friday.
Players to watch
Hunter Carns (Florida State) has been amazing for the Gatemen as of late. He went 2-for-3 and scored a run Wednesday against Orleans. He is now on a four-game hitting streak dating back to Saturday.
In the past four games, he went 8-for-14 with six RBIs and five runs scored. Look for his bat in the heart of the order as he tries to make it five straight games with a hit.
Bourne’s last game Tuesday against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks ended in a 12-6 victory. Kuhio Aloy (Arkansas), who has become a cornerstone piece of the Braves’ lineup, went 1-for-4 with two walks and two runs scored.
He played very well against the Gatemen in their Independence Day series. He went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored against Wareham, so look for him to make an impact Friday.
First pitch for Friday's game will be at 6 p.m. at Spillane Field in Wareham. You can attend the game for free, or you can tune in to the Gatemen’s broadcast on Cape League TV with Cory Miller, Josh Richardson and Rayna Maggelet on the call by clicking HERE.
