Commodores drop two in a row as they fall to Firebirds 11-4

By Annie Papadellis/Web Reporter

FALMOUTH, Mass. – A two run shot in the third and an RBI single in the seventh by Rhys Hoskins (Sacramento State) falls short as the Commodores (18-14) implode 11-4 to the Orleans Firebirds (15-18) on Sunday night.

Falmouth has had two rough outings these past couple nights.  The Commodores lost to the Chatham Anglers 10-4 on Saturday where the pitching, as well as the bats, abated uncharacteristically.  Unfortunately, the foul play from Chatham carried over to Falmouth this Sunday.

Despite the final score, Falmouth had ten hits on the night, but failed to drive in runs.

Nonetheless, the Commodores took the early lead in the first as Kevin Newman (Arizona) started the offensive drive with a shot up the middle to center for a single.  Casey Gillaspie (Wichita State) followed with another bullet to center to bring in Newman to score the first run of the night.  The newly announced All-Stars had solid performances at the plate.  Newman got on base three times with a single and two walks, and is on a six game hit streak.  Gillaspie went 4 for 5 on the night, and is on a five game hit streak as of this Sunday.

In the top of the third, the Firebirds tied the game at 1-1, yet the Commodores countered with a two run homer by Hoskins to go ahead by two.

However, that would be the last time Falmouth held the lead on the night as the Firebirds scored ten runs over the course of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to secure an abundant lead over the Commodores.

It looked hopeful in the bottom of the seventh for Falmouth with a bases loaded situation, yet back-to-back strikeouts retired the side for the Firebirds.

Starting pitcher Craig Schlitter (Bryant) picked up his second loss of the summer.  Schlitter lasted four and one-third innings surrendering two earned runs with four strikeouts on the night.  Hunter Brothers (Lipscomb) kept the Firebirds off the base path in the eighth and ninth as Orleans went hitless in the final two innings.  Brothers recorded three strikeouts on the night.

The Commodores are tied for second with the Cotuit Kettleers in the Western Division as both teams picked up a loss on the night.

Falmouth will take on the 12-19 Brewster Whitecaps away Monday evening at Stony Brook Field.  The first pitch is set for 5:00pm (EST).