Let there be light.
The Wareham Gatemen were unsure if they were going to play a game Friday and did everything they could to prepare. A severe thunderstorm swept through the previous night, knocking down trees, power lines, and knocking out the power at Spillane Field.
The game was pushed to 7 p.m. in hopes of getting the power up and running; however, it did not work when the game started. Both teams agreed that they would play until it got dark, then resume the game the following Friday when the teams met again. Then, the lights came on, and the full game was played.
The Gatemen, unfortunately, lost to Bourne 5-2 and fell to 6-11 on the season. It was their fourth straight loss, making it their longest losing streak of the season. The Gatemen also find themselves last in both the West Division standings and the league with their record and are seeking to get things back on track Saturday against the Falmouth Commodores.
Saturday is their second meeting with the 'Dores this season, after a 4-1 win at Spillane Field on June 21. The season series now shifts to Guv Fuller Field for the first time this summer. The Gatemen did, however, play a scrimmage on this field against Falmouth and Bourne on June 12, so it will not be the first time they have seen the field.
Starting pitchers
The Gatemen will give the starting role to right-hander Josh Butler (Arizona State). Butler has primarily been a reliever for the Gatemen this summer. He has pitched 11 innings, allowed eight hits, three unearned runs, six walks and struck out 13 batters.
He has been a solid reliever for the Gatemen, but Saturday will be his first start this season. Look for how he responds to that against Falmouth.
The Commodores, on the other hand, will throw right-hander Trevor Baumler (TCU). Baumler is also primarily a reliever, appearing in three games and starting in one. He has pitched 9 2/3 innings, allowed zero runs, five hits, three walks and struck out 11 batters.
His last start was against the Chatham Anglers on Sunday, when he pitched three innings and gave up one hit, one walk and punched out three batters. Look for this to potentially be a pitching duel between these two starters Saturday.
Players to watch
Both Colby Turner (Michigan) and Caden McDonald (Florida) brought the offense for the Gatemen in Friday’s loss to Bourne. Combined, they had four of the six Gatemen hits, with each of them grabbing two.
Turner went 2-for-3 with a home run, and McDonald went 2-for-4. Look for both of them to continue that Saturday.
The Commodores did not scrape together many hits in their two-game series against Cotuit, getting only 10 combined hits in the two games. One player that stands out for Falmouth is its best hitter, Carl Schmidt (California), who is batting .315 on the season. On Friday, he went 1-for-3 and scored a run, getting one of three total hits for Falmouth in its 3-1 win.
First pitch for Saturday's game is at 6 p.m. at Guv Fuller Field in Falmouth. You can attend the game for free, or you can tune in to the Gatemen’s radio broadcast with Cory Miller, Josh Richardson and Rayna Maggelet on the call by clicking HERE.
