Falmouth Defeats Hyannis in Western Division Matchup

Colleen Loftus/Web Reporter

The Falmouth won again in the Commodores’ first game of the season against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks last night at Guv Fuller Field. Allowing only one run and four hits by the visiting Harbor Hawks, the Commodores dominated all aspects of play throughout the nine innings.

Righty pitcher Kevin McCanna (Rice) made his third start for Falmouth, and was credited with his third win in the team’s 9-1 win. McCanna pitched seven innings, delivered two strikeouts, and now has a 1.90 ERA. Starting pitcher Joseph Shaw (Dallas Baptist) pitched two innings for the Harbor Hawks.

Thei was no scoring for the first two innings of play. McCanna set the tone in the top of the first by striking out lead-off batter Kyle Survance (Houston). Falmouth third baseman Matt Eureste (San Jacinto) ended the inning by snagging two popped balls up the left field line. He continued his efforts in the second inning with another catch and an assist to first.

The phenomenal hitting previewed in the Commodores’ last game against the Brewster Whitecaps continued last night in the bottom of the third. First at bat was designated hitter Shaun Chase (Oregon), who homered into deep center field to give the Commodores a 1-0 lead. Shortstop Trever Morrison (Oregon State) singled to left field, and Eureste was walked. With runners on first and second, Shaw threw a wild pitch to the feet of batter Sam Gillikin (Auburn), allowing Morrison to advance to third and Eureste to second. At a 3-1 count, Gillikin knocked a single into right field, bringing both runners home and increasing the Falmouth lead 3-0.

The Commodores still had some hits in store. Gillkin advanced from first to second after another wild pitch from Shaw, grounding into the backstop behind Commodores batter Steven Duggar (Clemson). Duggar was walked, putting two runners on base for second baseman Conner Hale (Louisiana State). Hale sent a sailing single into left field, earning an RBI single as Gillikin rounded third and crossed home with ease. The Commodores led 4-0 with no outs in the inning.

Catcher Cameron O’Brien (West Virginia) stepped to the plate with Duggar on second and Hale on first. At an 0-2 count to O’Brien, Duggar stole third and put himself in an improved scoring position. On the next pitch, O’Brien dropped a floating single into left field, earning a RBI as Duggar reached home. The Commodores led 5-0 as the Harbor Hawks made their first pitching change of the night. Righty Ryan Perez (Judson) replaced Shaw on the mound, pitching a total of four innings. Perez also struck out five Falmouth batters.

Left fielder Conor Costello stepped to the plate with men on first and second, and was walked by Perez. First baseman Jake Madsen (Ohio) was subsequently walked, forcing Hale home and increasing the Commodores’ lead 6-0. Madsen marked the Commodores batting around with no outs in the inning and bases loaded. While the next batter, Chase, struck out swinging, Morrison popped a sacrifice fly to left field and scored O’Brien from third base. The Commodores ended the bottom of the third ahead 7-0, with four total hits.

Hyannis never came close to closing in on the Commodores’ lead. Their one run was scored in the top of the fifth, as third baseman Austin Slater (Stanford) worked his way around the diamond after a poked single between second and first. Shortstop Matthew Britton (Mississippi) earned a RBI single as his drive to right field advanced Slater home from third. The Commodores remained in the lead 7-1.

Closing pitchers Travis Stout (Jacksonville State) and Taylor Durand (Western Carolina) kept Hyannis at bay in the final two innings of play. Stout totaled three strikeouts, while Durand reeled in two.

Falmouth tacked on two more runs in the later innings, furthering their lead. Eureste hammered a home run into right field in the bottom of the sixth. Hale also hit a home run into deep left field in the bottom of the seventh. The final score of the game was 9-1 in favor of the Commodores, giving the team a 6-7-1 record.

Perez is an interesting pitcher. He pitched two innings left handed and then switched to throwing right handed his last two innings. He was effective from both sides, giving up one run, one hit and struck out five while walking two.

Falmouth will travel to face the YD Red Sox on Friday, June 27, 2014, at 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Falmouth Commodores website at www.falmouthcommodores.com.