The Y-D Red Sox lost their second straight game Friday at Red Wilson Field, falling, 10-5, to the Brewster Whitecaps.
Derek Schaefer got off to a rough start in his first outing of the season, surrendering a leadoff home run on the seventh pitch of the game to Brendan Lawson (Florida). Despite the early long ball, Schaefer managed to escape the inning without further damage.
Will Gasparino became Y-D’s first baserunner, reaching on a single in the bottom of the first. Gasparino, who recently committed to UCLA, has been the victim of some tough luck early in his Y-D career. This time, he managed to poke a grounder through the left side of the infield and quickly stole second.
Schaefer’s struggles continued in the second inning, as he walked Dalton Wentz (Wake Forest) and Collin Priest (Clemson) to lead off the frame. A throwing error by Schaefer moved both runners into scoring position, and Michael Anderson (Arkansas) capitalized with a two-run double.
An early turning point for Y-D came in the bottom half of the inning. Garrett Wright walked to become the team’s second baserunner of the game. He stole second but was thrown out trying to take an extra base on a wild pitch.
Wentz scored his second run of the game in the top of the third, launching a 2-2 pitch to deep center field for Brewster’s second home run of the day.
The Whitecaps broke the game open in the fourth, scoring five runs to extend their lead. After Anderson and Adam Magpoc (Boston College) reached base, Y-D manager Scott Pickler brought in reliever Ty Bayer. Bayer walked the first batter he faced before Cal Fisher (Florida State) singled to drive in another run. A walk and a groundout brought in two more, making it 7-0. After Bayer threw a wild pitch and Wentz delivered an RBI single, the Whitecaps suddenly held a 9-0 lead.
The bottom of the fourth inning offered a glimmer of hope for Y-D. Wright was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, driving in the team’s first run. Connor Capece followed with a groundout to short, plating another. Second baseman Will Baker added a third run with a groundout of his own, wrapping up a three-run inning for Y-D.
Brewster responded in the top of the fifth, as Anderson launched his third RBI of the game with a solo home run — the Whitecaps’ third long ball of the day. Y-D answered back in the bottom half, scoring twice on clutch RBI hits from Jake Bold and Dean Carpentier.
Whitecaps reliever Zach Bates (Illinois) closed out the game for Brewster with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed just two hits and struck out three. Bates entered in a tough spot but quickly shut down the fifth inning, preserving Brewster’s five-run lead and sealing the win.
Although Y-D allowed 10 runs, it only used two pitchers in Friday’s loss. This will help keep the bullpen rested, especially as roster changes continue to be made throughout the summer.
