Written by: Joseph McLaughlin

Cotuit, Mass. — The Gatemen arrived at Lowell Park under an overcast sky Thursday evening, set to face the Cotuit Kettleers for the third time this summer.

Riding a six-game winning streak, Wareham entered the night as the hottest team in the Cape Cod Baseball League and the current leader of the West Division. After outslugging Harwich 13–8 on Wednesday, the Gatemen looked to make it seven straight. 

The last time they faced the Ketts, it was a dominant offensive showcase, but tonight was less explosive. However, once again, Wareham delivered a gritty win against a division foe.

The Gatemen (14-13) defeated the Cotuit Kettleers (11-14-2) by a score of 4-2 following a tightly pitched game from both sides.

The win strengthens their grip on first place in the West Division, putting them a game and a half ahead of Bourne, Falmouth, and Hyannis. It also makes them the only team in the West Division over .500 at the moment and places them among the top four teams in the league.

The game quickly became a defensive battle, mirroring the first meeting between these two teams. First Baseman Chris McHugh (NC State) did have a two-out double in the top of the first, but Designated Hitter Caden McDonald (Florida) struck out swinging, leaving the runner stranded. 

The Kettleers were the ones to score first. In the bottom of the second inning, Cotuit’s Case Sanderson (Nebraska) grounded out to McHugh to bring in Jack Natili (Cincinnati) to put Cotuit up 1-0. 

After that, both offenses remained in a stalemate as both starting pitchers delivered great performances. Cotuit’s Rob Evans (Miami) was great through 4.2 innings, allowing 5 hits, 0 runs, and striking out 6 Gatemen. 

Gatemen Right-Hander Tate McGuire (Arkansas) also performed well through 5.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 unearned run, 1 walk, and striking out 4 batters. Despite the one run, McGuire’s start kept the Gatemen close to the Kettleers.

“I just try to get ahead, keep throwing strikes,  and let the defense work. We had a great team defense today, made a lot of cool plays, and I rely on them as they rely on me,” said McGuire.

The great pitching continued for the Gatemen after McGuire’s start. Pitcher Ty Starke (Louisville) came in for relief, delivering 2.0 innings, only allowing 1 run, 2 hits, and a walk while striking out 2 batters. 

“It's always cool when you have a bullpen as good as ours. When you come out of the game, knowing the game is in good hands is nice. Our pen’s been great for these last two weeks,” said McGuire.

“These guys have been coming in and doing their job. Stark was phenomenal tonight. We stretched him out a little bit with knowing the All-Star break is here. He's gonna have some extra days rest, and he threw really well,” said Gatemen Field Manager Ryan Smyth.

The Gatemen offense also found its groove in the top of the seventh. Shortstop Chris Ramirez (California Baptist) singled to score Catcher Drew Rodgers (Georgia Tech) and tie the game 1-1. Then the Gatemen, in one of the most impactful hits of the game, took the lead off an RBI-single from Second Baseman Brayden Randle (Ole Miss) that scored Ramirez, making the score 2-1.

That was the moment when the Gatemen did not look back. Left Fielder Hunter Carns (Florida State) crushed a two-run home run to left center field that brought home Randle and gave the Gatemen a 4-1 lead. The hit gave the Gatemen the insurance runs they needed late in the game.

I was excited. Helping the team win is really exciting. I was just thinking about being on time that whole at bat, because I was kind of late all day. Then I got a pitch elevated in the zone and got the barrel on it,” said Carns.

Despite the offense starting slow, the Gatemen were persistent, showing no signs of quitting as they continued to plug away at the Kettleers’ defense. 

“Before every game, Mobbs talks to us about being relentless in the box even when things aren't going our way. Just keep on the attack. And I think we really showed that tonight,” said Carns.

“We really weren't hitting the ball great early on. We had a couple of guys on, but we just didn't come up with that big hit. We kept plugging away, didn’t quit, and played all nine. Then we found an inning where we started getting some of those big hits that we needed,” said Smyth. 

From there, the Gatemen were in control of the game. Cotuit did threaten in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded and nobody out, but the Gatemen were able to escape it, only allowing one run thanks to a clutch forceout and strikeout from TJ Schlageter (Louisville). 

The Gatemen then entered the ninth up by two. Despite allowing a two-out walk, the Gatemen were able to close out the Kettleers to secure a season-high seventh straight win.

The win also puts the Gatemen above .500 for the first time since June 21, when they defeated Falmouth 4-1 and held a 4-3 record following a fourth consecutive win. This current streak has shown the team dominant in both hitting and pitching, with every part of the team moving forward in unison.

Wareham, now winners of eight of their last nine games, has one more game remaining before the All-Star Break, a home matchup with the Bourne Braves. To the Gatemen, however, it's just another game, and their approach will be the same as it always has been.

“​​We're just going to go play baseball tomorrow. Stay on our routine and keep going to the ballpark expecting to win baseball games, that's what these guys are doing right now, and it's going well,” said Smyth.

First pitch for Friday’s game against Bourne will be 6:00 p.m. at Spillane Field in Wareham.