Commodores need one big inning to defeat the Harbor Hawks

by Zane Moses

     Prior to this matchup, the Falmouth Commodores were not able to amass six runs over the course of nine innings, on Wednesday they managed to do it in one.  The Commodores were able to defeat the Hyannis Harbor Hawks by a score of 6-1 on Wednesday, ending a three game skid.  One big inning was all the Commodores needed, as the stellar pitching was able to keep the Hawks at bay throughout the evening.

     In the bottom of the first inning, the first Commodores hitter, catcher Michael Tinsley (Kansas), hit a home run to right field to start the scoring.  One out later first baseman Evan Skoug (Texas A&M) started a rally with a ground ball base hit past the second baseman.  After a walk the designated hitter JJ Matejevic (Arizona) hit a double, scoring the second run.  Shane Benes (Mizzou) hit a two out line drive base hit to score two more runs, JB Woodman (Ole Miss) hit a bloop single to score Benes and finally Nick Lovullo hit a ground ball off of the pitcher to score Woodman.  After the first inning the score was 6-0 in favor of the Commodores.

     The game remained devoid of runs until the top of the sixth.  The Harbor Hawks were able to get one of the runs back on a one out sacrifice fly to right field.  That would be the only run they would get back in the inning though, and the score was 6-1.

     The big first inning was definitely a comfort, but the true star of the game today was the pitching performance by Conor Costello (Oklahoma State).  Costello pitched seven stellar innings, allowing only three hits, giving up one run, and earning the win.  He made his money pitching for contact as he only struck out two batters.  Most of his outs did not leave the infield, and that is all you can ask of a pitcher.

     The Commodores may have only scored in the first inning, but the bats were alive throughout.  The lead off batter got a hit in each of the first three innings, and they accrued 10 total hits throughout the evening.  The stand out hitters of the evening were Evan Skoug and JB Woodman, who were the only two Commodores who had multi-hit games, as well as Michael Tinsley who had that crucial lead off home run that kickstarted the team.

     “I was just trying to set the tone,” Tinsley said, “The last time I lead off was back in high school so it was a nice change of pace.”

     The Commodores are back in action on Friday, as they are away against the Harwich Mariners.  For more information about the Falmouth Commodores visit their website at www.falmouthcommodores.com.