By: Dylan Vazzano
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Oaks Bluff, MA:
The Hyannis Harbor Hawks traveled to Martha’s Vineyard for a special game against the Falmouth Commodores, and with two outs in the 9th the trip was destined to be remembered for the bright sunshine and warm weather. That was until second basemen AJ Pettersen stepped up to the plate with the Hawks down 4-3 and only one out away from defeat. Pettersen refused to be denied as he lined his third single of the game off Commodore closer Matt Summers to give Hyannis a chance. A chance was all the Hawks needed as the quest for a comeback picked up momentum after first basemen Cam Seitzer walked to put runners on first and second for cleanup hitter and third basemen Casey McElroy. McElroy, who missed a golden opportunity to put the Hawks on top in the 7th after striking out with the bases loaded to end the frame, was looking for some redemption…and a good first pitch to hit. “They had just walked Cam, so I came up there looking for a first pitch fastball and I got it,” said McElroy of his approach to the pressure packed situation. The third basemen from Auburn took the first pitch heater and smacked it up the middle to bring around Pettersen and tie the game at four. Next up to the dish came left fielder Jason Nappi who was looking for some redemption of his own. In the midst of a tough slump and an even tougher game, (0-4 with two strikeouts) Nappi put together a battle for the ages. The left fielder from Harding went down 1-2 in the count and fouled off three straight pitches before roping a double to deep right center knocking in two and giving the Hawks an improbable 6-4 lead. “I just needed that. I was having a pretty tough go of it and that hit was a big confidence boost going into the next stretch of games,” Nappi commented on his clutch at bat.
The clutch hitting in the 9th was the key for Hyannis, yet it was an exceptional day at the plate by Hawks’ first basemen Cam Seitzer, and an outstanding performance from the bullpen which allowed the team to even think about a comeback. With the Harbor Hawks trailing 4-0 in the top of the fifth, the first basemen from the University of Oklahoma stepped up with runners on first and third and two down. Seitzer, who was already 2 for 2 on the day, put together a gritty at bat which ended in a three run blast over the centerfield wall to cut the lead to 4-3. After the game Seitzer acknowledged the significance of his 5th inning homer and gave us insight to his mentality in the batter’s box. “I was trying to get us going. I didn’t try to do too much with the pitch and it just ended up going over the wall.” Seitzer ended the day going 3 for 3 with two walks and three rbis.
As far as the bullpen is concerned, they were given the opportunity to succeed after Hyannis starting pitcher Justin Wright put the team in an early hole by allowing four runs over only four innings of work. The bullpen needed to pick up the slack and they did in a big way. Unsung hero of the game Drew Verhagen pitched three scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while striking out two. The middle reliever from the University of Oklahoma knew what his role was and took it in stride which helped lead to the successful outing. “I tried to keep us in the game to give us a chance to come back” said Verhagen on his crucial performance. Set up man Tyler Mizenko built off Verhagen’s success by pitching a scoreless inning of his own giving him his second win of the season and improving his record to 2-0. Closer Dallas Gallant picked up his sixth save of the season after pitching a near perfect 9th.
Today’s victory which was capped off by the Hawk’s dramatic 9th inning comeback might have changed the team’s season and according to manager Chad Gassman it was a necessity. “It was a must; we had to have that win. I was proud of the way we bounced back and hit in the clutch” said Gassman on his team’s resiliency. Hyannis will try to build on the momentum of their thrilling victory on the Vineyard as they come back home tomorrow (July 9) for a rematch of today’s hard luck loser, the Falmouth Commodores in McKeon Park at 7:00pm.