By Josh Eastern
HYANNIS – It was a night the Falmouth Commodores have needed for over two weeks.
Nearly two weeks ago the Commodores broke out for 22 hits and 13 runs against Bourne. Since then, it has been a struggle. They came into Monday’s make-up game in Hyannis with just two wins in their previous 10. Falmouth finally saw its fortunes change to the tune of nine runs on 14 hits.
Behind a five-hit night from catcher Josh Breaux (McLennan CC), the Commodores got out the bats and knocked off the Harbor Hawks, 9-3, Monday at McKeon Park in Hyannis.
“We’ve been battling through all these games and tonight we just broke the bad streak, I guess,” Breaux said on Closing the ‘Dore. “We started hitting the ball.”
In a game with All-Star Kyle Bradish (New Mexico State) on the mound, the thought was he would be the story. He turned in a solid outing, but the real story was the hitting. Seven of the nine Commodores in the lineup came across to score in the game, making it a full team effort for the win.
Breaux had a nine-game hitting streak coming in and he quickly made it 10. The catcher had hits in all five at-bats registering two singles, two doubles and a three-run home run, finishing a triple short of the cycle. Breaux has been swinging a hot bat for the Commodores during his streak. He started it with his batting average at .180, but has quickly risen that over .281 since then.
“I’m just happy that I was able to square some balls up, put some RBIs up and get on base for our team,” Breaux said. “Just trying to help the team out as much as I can.”
The hitting overshadowed a quiet outing from Bradish. The right-hander lasted four innings giving up three earned runs on four hits while walking two and walking five. The only blemishes on the line for Bradish were two swings of the bat. It was a two-run home run by Reece Hampton and a solo shot by Brendan Donovan. Besides that, his curveball was sharp and his fastball crisp.
Once the bullpen came in, the Harbor Hawks were shut down. Zack Leban (Kansas) and Cole Sands (Florida State) combined for five scoreless innings in the win. Bradish’s next appearance will likely come in the All-Star game at Spillane Field in Wareham on Saturday. Breaux and Bradish were working well together in their four innings, and Breaux said after he always enjoys catching Bradish.
“He always hits his spots and throws really good stuff,” Breaux said of Bradish. “It’s great catching him and glad he did a good job tonight.”
With the victory, the Commodores now have 29 points and have moved into third place in the tight Western Division. The Commodores now will play four straight games outside of the Western Division. First up will be the second and final trip to Eldredge Park to face the Orleans Firebirds.
The Commodores Corner 