HYANNIS, MA – The Harbor Hawks and the Chatham Anglers both went into Tuesday’s match-up at McKeon Park undefeated, but only the Anglers were able to escape with their record unblemished.

Hyannis (3-1) committed five errors as the Harbor Hawks fumbled their way to a 10-0 loss at the hands . . . → Read More: Hawks Sunk by Anglers for First Loss of 2013]]> By Charles Condro

HYANNIS, MA – The Harbor Hawks and the Chatham Anglers both went into Tuesday’s match-up at McKeon Park undefeated, but only the Anglers were able to escape with their record unblemished.

Hyannis (3-1) committed five errors as the Harbor Hawks fumbled their way to a 10-0 loss at the hands of the 6-0 Anglers. Head coach Chad Gassman said that the Hawks would need to improve their performance in the field in order to compete in the Cape Cod Baseball League.

“We just didn’t play good defense, bottom line,” Gassman said. “If we don’t play good defense, then we’re not going to win many ball games in this league.”

After committing a total of just six errors combined during their three game winning streak to begin the season, the Hawks committed five errors Tuesday night. Those defensive miscues led to two unearned runs for the Anglers.

The Anglers took advantage of the extra outs, scratching the Hyannis hurlers for fifteen hits. Chatham also worked five walks. Gassman added that his pitching staff gave up “too many freebies.”

The Anglers got on the board early, touching pitcher Rocky McCord (Auburn) for a run in the top of the first on an RBI single by right fielder Jimmy Pickens (Michigan State).

Hyannis designated hitter Brian Anderson (Arkansas) laced a single up the middle off of Chatham left hander Andrew McGee (Monmouth), but he was stranded at second as McGee settled into the game.

The Anglers’ southpaw followed up his nine-strikeout, five-inning performance in Chatham’s season opener against Wareham with six innings of shutout ball at Hyannis. McGee allowed only one more hit and faced just two batters over the minimum in his final five innings of work.

“I had a rough first inning… getting behind hitters a little bit,” McGee said. “I settled down and started mixing my pitches, getting the hitters out on their front foot a little bit.”

With three more strikeouts against the Hawks on Tuesday, McGee has started off his Cape League season with 12 strikeouts and 11.0 shutout innings.

The Anglers took advantage of two errors by Hyannis third sacker Jay Baum (Clemson) in the second to score two runs and take a 3-0 lead. Chatham would tack on runs in the third, forth, and eighth innings.

McCord allowed four runs in three innings, but only two of those runs were earned.   He was spelled in the fourth inning by right-handed pitcher Joe Harvey (Pittsburgh). Harvey struck out two Anglers while allowing one run in his two innings of work.

The Harbor Hawks sniffed a rally in the bottom of the seventh when right fielder Tyler Spoon (Arkansas) led off with a single and left fielder Austin Slater (Stanford) drew a walk, but they died on the bases as Chatham reliever Stephen Marino (Williams) retired the next three Harbor Hawks to escape unscathed.

Newcomer Jay Hernandez (Southern California) shot a pinch-hit double down the left field line in the ninth in his first at bat for the Harbor Hawks. He played in the Cape League last year for the Orleans Cardinals.

The Hawks will look to return to their winning ways on Wednesday in Brewster. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 pm.

]]> http://harborhawks.org/2013/06/hawks-sunk-by-anglers-for-first-loss-of-2013/feed/ 0 http://harborhawks.org/2013/06/harbor-hawks-rally-in-8th-defeat-gatemen-to-remain-unbeaten/ http://harborhawks.org/2013/06/harbor-hawks-rally-in-8th-defeat-gatemen-to-remain-unbeaten/#comments Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:01:37 +0000 hawktern http://harborhawks.org/?p=1796 By Zach Chase

WAREHAM, MA-After falling behind by three runs early, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks rallied to take the lead and held off two late surges to defeat the Wareham Gatemen, 5-4, at Clem Spillane Field in Wareham. Despite being on the verge of giving up the lead in the final two innings, Hyannis pitcher . . . → Read More: Harbor Hawks Rally in 8th, Defeat Gatemen to Remain Unbeaten]]> By Zach Chase

WAREHAM, MA-After falling behind by three runs early, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks rallied to take the lead and held off two late surges to defeat the Wareham Gatemen, 5-4, at Clem Spillane Field in Wareham. Despite being on the verge of giving up the lead in the final two innings, Hyannis pitcher Eric Eck (Wofford) shut down the Gatemen and was able to come away with a huge save for the Hawks.

“I’ve gotten used to coming into those situations pretty much every time at school.” Eck said after the game. “That’s my favorite part of the game: coming in there and having it all on the line.”

The Gatemen got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the third inning against Hyannis starter Jordan Foley (Central Michigan). After CJ Saylor (San Diego State) led off the inning with an infield single, Foley hit Bradley Roney (Southern Mississippi) with a pitch and then threw a wild pitch, which allowed Saylor to move to third base. Following this, Tino Lipson (California-Davis) reached first on a fielder’s choice grounder to second base, which scored Saylor and moved Roney to 2nd base. Afterwards, Adam Toth (Baylor) bunted for a hit, which loaded the bases for Trevor Podratz (Hawaii), who hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, allowing Roney to score. Matthew Walsh (Franklin Pierce) then hit a grounder to second base, which plated Lipson and allowed Wareham to take a 3-0 lead.

After six innings had only produced two hits against Wareham starter Andro Cutura (Southeastern Louisiana), the Harbor Hawks were finally able to get on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh inning. After Steve Wilkerson (Clemson) and Brian Anderson (Arkansas) both singled, Tyler Spoon (Arkansas) was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Following this, Dominic Jose (Stanford) grounded into a fielder’s choice, which scored Wilkerson, making the score 3-1. The Harbor Hawks then loaded the bases again, but could not put more runs on the scoreboard.

However, in the top of the eighth inning, the Hyannis bats were back with a vengeance against Wareham reliever Michael Howerton (James Madison). The first blow was stuck by Hyannis catcher Chase Griffin (Georgia Southern), who led off with a deep solo home run to left centerfield, making the score 3-2.

“I was just trying to get a good pitch and stay inside of it.” Griffin said after the game. “He (Howerton) hung it and I guess I hit it pretty good.”

After consecutive singles by Will Maddox (Tennessee) and Wilkerson, the Gatemen relieved Howerton with Ryan Riga (Ohio State), but the Hyannis rally would not be denied. After a walk by Anderson loaded the bases, Spoon hit a ground ball to Wareham second baseman Ethan Gross (Memphis) that slipped through his legs and allowed Maddox and Wilkerson to score, giving Hyannis a 4-3 lead. After Jose was called out for interference on a steal attempt, Ryan Padilla (New Mexico) hit a ground ball to second, which scored Anderson and gave Hyannis a 5-3 lead.

Wareham immediately tried to take the lead back in the bottom of the 8th against Harbor Hawk reliever Patrick Andrews (Clemson). After a single to centerfield by Toth and a walk by Podratz, Walsh hit a ground ball right to Andrews, who overthrew first base, allowing Toth to score and Podratz and Walsh to advance. Andrews was then replaced by Eck, who shut down the Wareham onslaught. He struck out Mikey White (Alabama) and Gross, before issuing a walk and retiring Saylor to end the inning.

Wareham threatened in the bottom of the ninth and had runners on second and third with two outs, but Eck forced pinch hitter Fred Shepard (Amherst) into a groundout, which gave him the save and Hyannis the win. Eck, who was on the Harbor Hawks for the end of last season, notices a difference this year in how he approaches the game.

“Last summer, I was a little bit of a thrower and I’m more of a pitcher now.” Eck said following the game. “I feel a little more comfortable going up there and having a lot better of a game plan.”

With the win, the Harbor Hawks improve to 3-0 on the season. Tomorrow, they return home to face the Chatham Anglers, who are also undefeated on the year, at McKeon Park at 6:00 PM. Both Griffin and Eck are confident that the Harbor Hawks can continue this hot start.

“Like coach said, we have a really talented bunch.” Griffin said. “We just need to stay locked in, every bit, pitch to pitch.”

“I think we can attribute a lot of our success to just having fun out there.” Eck said. “These guys know they’re good, they know what they have to do, and instead of letting stress build, they just go out there and enjoy the game. That’s why we’ve been able to be so successful in stressful situations.”

WHITEHOUSE FIELD HARWICH, MA

The Hyannis Harbor Hawks (2-0) came away victorious for a second straight night to open the season as they shut out the Harwich Mariners (2-2) in dominating fashion. In a game in which the Hawks collected only 3 hits, timely offense, perfect execution of bunts, and taking advantage . . . → Read More: Hyannis Blanks Harwich 4-0, Improve to 2-0]]> By Derek Kornhiser

WHITEHOUSE FIELD HARWICH, MA

The Hyannis Harbor Hawks (2-0) came away victorious for a second straight night to open the season as they shut out the Harwich Mariners (2-2) in dominating fashion. In a game in which the Hawks collected only 3 hits, timely offense, perfect execution of bunts, and taking advantage of Harwich’s costly errors brought home 4 late runs to seal the victory. The offense, however, was not the story of the game as Andrew Thome (North Dakota, 1-0) and Sarkis Ohanian (Duke) stifled the Mariners’ offense, and were backed by a superb defensive effort from the field.

Thome began his outing with a rocky first inning where he threw only 4 of 16 pitches for strikes, granted two free passes, and hit a batter. He then battled back to minimize the damage thanks to shortstop Steve Wilkerson (Clemson) who flashed two brilliant plays on a pop out and a groundout to avoid yielding any runs. Thome then settled down and pitched through the seventh inning, scattering 5 hits while giving up no runs. Ohanian then came on and was lights out for the 8th and 9th, striking out 2 and giving up just 1 hit.

The scoring for the Hawks did not begin until the top of the 7th inning when pinch hitter J.C. Coban (Penn State) blooped an excuse-me check-swing single to right field to score Austin Slater (Stanford) from third. Hyannis then tacked on an insurance run in the 8th when second basemen Will Maddox (Tennessee) scored on a groundball that ate up Harwich first baseman Brendon Hayden (Virginia Tech) off the bat of Brian Anderson (Arkansas). The Hawks then opened things up in the 9th on an RBI double from Levi Borders (South Florida) and a successful squeeze bunt play off the bat of Landon Curry (Indiana St.). After the game, coach Chad Gassman spoke about his team’s quiet yet effective offense on the night. “Good execution. It’s tough early on and the offense is going to start coming. The first couple of weeks you have to get the bunts down and execute, but soon the offense is going to get going and we won’t have to play so small.”

All 4 Hyannis runs came off of the Mariners bullpen, spoiling a dominating performance from their starter Chandler Shepherd (Kentucky). Shepherd had electric stuff on the night, firing 6 innings of 1 hit ball while striking out 6 and walking only 1. Once Shepherd departed, Harwich had to use 4 pitchers to get through the final 3 frames.

For Hyannis starter Andrew Thome, the road was a little more rocky at first, but he came away victorious. “The first inning I was a little nervous obviously, couldn’t find the zone, but then I settled in and realized it was the same game I’ve been playing since I was 4 years old. There were some unreal plays behind me tonight. Stevie especially at shortstop, he kept us in the game.”

Coach Gassman was equally impressed with his shortstop, and also lauded the ability of his starting pitcher to bear down and settle into the game. “It was nice that he settled down because I didn’t know if he was going to make it through the first and Wilkerson and the guys made some really nice plays behind him and got him to settle down and I was really impressed at how he settled in. He was dominant.” Wilkerson has been the first major standout for this 2013 Hawks team, contributing with a superb offensive night in the opening game and following that up with an awe inspiring defensive effort tonight, contributing for 5 assists and the amazing dive for the pop fly in the first inning.

It was a hard fought, timely victory for Hyannis who collected just 3 hits, only 1 for extra bases, and whose pitchers only struck out 2 batters on the night. However, a win is a win and despite these statistics, there is no doubt who the dominant team of tonight’s game was. The season is very young, but the 2013 version of the Hyannis Harbor Hawks have already erased the past memories of the 0-9 team that took the field in 2012.

The Hawks play a makeup game tomorrow night in Wareham at 7 PM against the Gatemen (1-2) and then return home on Tuesday to take on the undefeated Anglers (4-0) at 6 PM.

MCKEON PARK, HYANNIS MA

What took the Harbor Hawks 10 games to accomplish last year took only 1 here in the young 2013 season as they came away with their first victory of the season in the final hour against the Falmouth Commodores (2-1). Hyannis (1-0) beat the Commodores 5-4 on . . . → Read More: Hawks Open Up Season With Wild Win in 12 Against Commodores]]> By Derek Kornhiser

MCKEON PARK, HYANNIS MA

What took the Harbor Hawks 10 games to accomplish last year took only 1 here in the young 2013 season as they came away with their first victory of the season in the final hour against the Falmouth Commodores (2-1). Hyannis (1-0) beat the Commodores 5-4 on a wild, bases loaded infield single with 2 outs in the bottom of the 12th inning off the bat of pinch hitter Levi Borders (South Florida). Had Borders not delivered, the game would have ended in a tie due to new Cape League rules that officially end games after 12 innings. All of the runs were scored in the first 7 innings of the contest before each bullpen continued to throw zeroes on the board until the dramatic final frame.

Unlike last years team, filled with disappointment and missed opportunities in the early season, the Hawks played well in every aspect of the game tonight. Starter Cy Sneed (Dallas Baptist) gave the Hawks 5 plus innings of one run ball, and despite a rocky introduction for Michael Gunn (Arkansas), the bullpen shut down the Commodores, as Joe Harvey (Pittsburgh) and Andrew Istler (Duke, 1-0) dominated the Commodores for the final 6 innings, giving the offense the chance to pull off the dramatic victory.

The bottom of the 12th began with Will Maddox (Tennessee) reaching on a hit by pitch followed by a single by returning shortstop Steve Wilkerson (Clemson). After a strikeout, a walk, and a pop out to third, Borders stepped up to the plate for his first at bat of the day with two out and the bases loaded. After working a 2-2 count, he grounded the next  pitch to shortstop, seemingly confirming the end of the game as a tie. Falmouth’s shortstop forgot to hustle to the bag at second, however, and Austin Slater (Stanford) slid in safely at second as Maddox scurried home from third base to walk off with the Hawks’ first win of the year. Following the game, Coach Chad Gassman was very impressed with the effort of his team, and especially his bullpen. “It’s a good sign. I like what this team brings to the table. When we put this team together, on paper I knew we were looking really good out of the bullpen.”

The scoring began much earlier in the night, with the Hawks striking first with 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th on an RBI single from Chase Griffin (Georgia Southern) and a sacrifice fly from Centerville native Bobby Melley (UConn). Falmouth then struck back off of Sneed and Gunn in the top of the 6th, scoring 4 runs off of 3 hits and 2 walks, with Kevin Cron (Texas Christian) delivering a monster 2-RBI double to right center field. The Hawks battled back though with a disciplined approach at the plate, scoring twice in the seventh to tie the ball game on a double from Wilkerson that just barely grazed the foul line in left field, scoring Jay Baum (Clemson) and Landon Curry (Indiana State). Both bullpens then kicked things into high gear and matched zeroes until the fateful bottom of the 12th inning.

Wilkerson was the offensive standout of the game for the Hawks, going 3 for 5 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI, and a walk in the 12 inning affair. Following the game, Wilkerson was ecstatic over the victory and the chance to play again in the Cape League. “Coming out and getting the victory in the first game after waiting around the last few days because of the weather was definitely fun. I got a few good pitches to hit tonight and didn’t miss them. It’s a great opportunity to be up here. Obviously I was up here last summer so coming back I knew what to expect. I appreciate the opportunity.”

Forgotten by the end of the ninth was the effort of Hyannis starter Cy Sneed, who gave the Hawks what they needed in a hard fought 5 plus inning effort. He ended is outing with a solid line, striking out 5 and only walking 1, while relinquishing just 2 hits. After the game, Sneed was very excited about his first outing and the opportunity he’s been given here with the Harbor Hawks. “It was really exciting I’ve never been to a place like this before so it was pretty cool to get out there. It worked out pretty well and you can’t be happier with the hustle [from the team]. I  just want to go out and throw the ball well, throw everything for a strike, and command the zone and let what happens happen.”

It took walk-off drama to win their first game last season, and in the words of Yogi Berra, it was deja vu all over again this season as the Hawks open their 2013 schedule with a dramatic 12 inning victory. The Hawks next play tonight against the Harwich Mariners (2-1) before returning home to take on the Chatham Anglers (3-0) on Tuesday. Just as a reminder, home games begin at 6 PM this season at McKeon Park.

The 2013 Harbor Hawks season is here at last! Here’s how you can follow along with the team all summer long:

Hawk Talk Episode 1  – Check back in with Dylan, Nick, and D.J.!

Live Broadcast (free video for all home games)

Statistics (live updates during all games)

Photo galleries

Game stories

Online registration now available!

In 2009, the crowds gathered to McKeon Park to see current Red Sox phenom Jackie Bradley Jr. in action for the Harbor Hawks.  Join us in Hyannis in 2013 for yet another sneak peek of baseball’s brightest prospects!

2013 Schedule — 2013 . . . → Read More: Who will you see this summer?]]>

Jackie Bradley Jr. with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in 2009

In 2009, the crowds gathered to McKeon Park to see current Red Sox phenom Jackie Bradley Jr. in action for the Harbor Hawks.  Join us in Hyannis in 2013 for yet another sneak peek of baseball’s brightest prospects!

2013 Schedule — 2013 Roster

RED WILSON FIELD, YARMOUTH, MA–As afternoon tied the knot into evening, and the sun began its concluding voyage through the depths of Yarmouth and into its reigning perch overlooking Red Wilson Field, the tale of another Cape Cod summer had reached its final chapter.  With the illustrious dreams of postseason now a . . . → Read More: Hyannis Rallies in 9th to Close Chaotic Summer in Dramatic Fashion]]> By: Dylan Vazzano

RED WILSON FIELD, YARMOUTH, MA–As afternoon tied the knot into evening, and the sun began its concluding voyage through the depths of Yarmouth and into its reigning perch overlooking Red Wilson Field, the tale of another Cape Cod summer had reached its final chapter.  With the illustrious dreams of postseason now a mathematical impossibility, coupled with the ultimate willingness to except the harsh reality that there will be no tomorrow, the 2012 Hyannis Harbor Hawks presented all in attendance with one finishing sentiment.  Never underestimate the power of pride. 

Pat Fortunato (Rhode Island) came to the dish with Hyannis trailing 9-7 to the YD Red Sox in the top of the ninth, the summer down to its final two outs, and Brandon Trinkwon (Santa Barbara) on first base.  At this stage of the heated affair, it would have been “easy” for the Hawks to roll over in the face of a mighty Red Sox ball club, one that was playoff bound and winners of six of their last seven,.  “Easy” for the Hawks to claim inferiority with three pitchers in their batting order.  “Easy” to not have the fight for a comeback in a game that “didn’t mean anything.”

Fortunato refused take the “easy” way out.

The Stratford, CT native blasted a 1-1 Jose Lopez (Seton Hall) offering to dead center and immediately the crowd at Red Wilson Field was rendered speechless, left pondering the notion of “does it have enough?”  After what felt like a summer’s worth of waiting, the silence ceased and an eruption of epic proportions occurred in the Hyannis dugout.  Pat Fortunato just tied the game, 9-9, on his first and only round tripper of the season. 

“I had been struggling so much over the past five to six games, I guess the baseball Gods don’t really hate me after all,” said Fortunato on his Harbor Hawk heroics.  “It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life.” 

“I thought it was going to be caught, but when I saw the outfielder’s disappointment, I couldn’t believe it,” said an enthusiastic Hyannis Manager Chad Gassman after the game.  “Fortunato is a guy we picked up just a few weeks ago and he’s battled.  He was a great addition, a great person, and I wish him the best, what a way to go out for him.” 

After the jubilance of Fortunato’s long ball subsided, there was still plenty of baseball to be played with the score deadlocked at 9-9.  Mitchell Garver (New Mexico) maintained the momentum, following the home run with a scorching single to center to put the potential go-ahead run at first.  Brad Zebedis (Presbyterian) continued the rally with a single to left, before Blake Austin (Auburn) sealed the deal on the dramatic Hawks comeback with a frozen rope single down the left field line to plate Garver, giving Hyannis a 10-9 advantage. 

“Word’s can’t describe it,” said Austin on his go-ahead knock.  “This team has battled the whole year and today we were just having fun out there.” 

Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth, where it would be up to reliever Gage Smith (Florida State) to keep the one-run lead and send the Hawks into the win column for the final time in 2012.  Smith, who entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and surrendered a go-ahead two-run double off the bat of Zak Blair (Mercyhurst), refused to be denied with the contest now in the closing moments.  The Tallahassee, FL native pitched around a two-out Alex Blandino single (Stanford), before retiring Wayne Taylor (Stanford) on a liner to center to cap off the inspiring Harbor Hawk 10-9 victory.  Smith earned the victory to end the year at 1-1, while the aforementioned Jose Lopez was saddled with his first loss of the campaign.    

“We were already out of the playoffs so it was kind of hard for everyone to find motivation, but we decided to come out and give it all we got,” said Smith on the emotionally charged comeback victory.  “Anytime you have three pitchers [Adam Moore, Matt Maurer, Peter Miller] hitting you don’t like your chances most of the time, but we still felt really good about it.  Pat’s home run at the end was pretty awesome and after that we knew we were going to win that ball game.” 

Early on it was home run derby at Red Wilson Field, as the two clubs combined for six home runs over the first four innings.  Brad Zebedis started the long ball barrage with a two-run round tripper in the top of the first off Red Sox starter Spenser Linney (Stanford).  Zebedis tallied two hits in five trips to the plate to end his 2012 summer as the Hyannis leader in batting average at a cool .303.    

YD responded with two home runs of their own in the bottom of the frame as Morgan Mickan (Texas State) and Danny Diekroger (Stanford) touched them all off Hawks’ starting pitcher Peter Miller (Florida State) to knot things up at 2-2.  After Hyannis gained a 3-2 lead in the top of the second, Miller would give up his third long ball of the contest in the bottom of the inning thanks to a Sean McHugh (Purdue) home run that deadlocked the score at 3-3. 

Mitchell Garver hit his fourth home run of the summer in the top of the third, while Brandon Trinkwon attempted to put the game out of reach with a three-run shot in the top of the fourth to extend the Hawks lead to 7-3.  Trinkwon’s sixth home run of the season put him in a tie for the team lead with Dominic Jose (Stanford), and his 2-for-3 showing propelled the sophomore from Tustin, CA to an average above .300, officially ended the campaign at .301. 

The Red Sox would go on to take the lead with three in the fourth, one in the sixth, and two more in the seventh, but ultimately it was an afternoon destined for Hyannis.  Coupled with a Bourne Braves loss to Wareham, the Harbor Hawks finished the season in a tie for fourth place with a 17-27 record, missing out on a postseason appearance because of a season series tiebreaker in which the Hawks dropped four of six to Bourne. 

In a rollercoaster of a summer, one where night in and night out passion, drama, and intensity took center stage, it’s only fitting that the final act featured an incredible Harbor Hawks comeback victory, embodying the true spirit of never giving up.  “It’s just amazing what you can do when you have the will to win and today they did,” remarked Coach Gassman on the memorable 2012 finale.  “This group of guys will always have a special place in my heart.”