Yarmouth, Mass. 一 the best team in the Cape League prevailed on home field.
The Gatemen held the Red Sox to their lowest run total in a week, amassed two bases-loaded opportunities, but fell short to the top squad in the CCBL.
Wareham held Y-D scoreless in the first frame, the first of five shutout innings, in a full defensive effort. Gatemen starter Wade Walton (High Point) began the afternoon by both limiting the Red Sox’s damage and adding to his strikeout count that ranks second on the team.
After 3.2 innings of work, the bullpen took over and took charge. Jackson Hoyt (Florida) notched a strikeout and limited the top of Y-D’s lineup, then Finn Edwards (Arizona State) and Colton Sampson (Florida) finished off the contest with scoreless outings.
Against the best offense in the Cape League, Wareham controlled a large part of the battles at the plate. Although the Red Sox’s hitters only fanned four times, the Gatemen forced weak contact and made athletic plays in the field to prevent men from reaching base. When Y-D did get on, eight of its runners were stranded.
“We pitched it pretty well tonight. And I think we pitched it well enough to win this game,” Gatemen manager Ryan Smyth said. “Couple hits on our side could change the landscape of it, and really two of those runs were wild pitches. So we did our job on the mound tonight.”
Despite the arms and the defense combining to keep Saturday’s game at Spillane Field close for the 1500-person crowd in attendance, Y-D pulled through and once again flexed its muscles as the best team in the standings by six points.
The Red Sox took advantage of their opportunities, advancing on wild pitches and using sacrifice opportunities to advance runners into scoring position. Y-D played the same smart baseball its done all season, and was rewarded once again.
“They (Y-D) don't give up any at bats. Pitchers threw enough strikes tonight. We had guys on bases 9 or 10,” Smyth said. “I think it was at the end of the day we just didn't capitalize. It's kind of been our thing, and it's something that's got to change.”
Despite the loss and the lack of production on the scoreboard, Levi Clark (Tennessee) was a bright spot with one of Wareham’s five hits. Clark has combined with Coen Niclai (Arizona State) and Drew Rogers (Georgia Tech) in one of the strongest catcher rooms in the Cape League.
“Levi really plays first base and plays a little outfield, so he's versatile, which is why we wanted him back. Plus his bat, when Coen is starting to tear the cover off of the baseball, putting some really good swings on pitches and coming up for some big moments for us. Having him (Niclai) in the DH spot, and being able to also keep their legs fresh too,” Smyth said. “It's kind of the reason why I wanted three guys and one that can play a couple other positions. It just keeps all the catchers fresh out here.”
Wareham now returns home to face Chatham, its first win of 2026, in hopes of recapturing the momentum from previous outings this past week.
