FALMOUTH – The Commodores are now winners in three straight as they defeated the Harwich Mariners 8-1 in what started out as a pitcher’s duel at Guv Fuller Field.
The Commodores (17-16-1) were sporting their Friday red jerseys today and it was the bat of Clayton Daniel that was red hot in this game. The All-Star second baseman dazzled tonight, striking four hits with an RBI and two runs scored.
Believe it or not, the first half of this game it was a pitcher’s duel between Tyler Blohm and Theodore Rodliff.
Tyler Blohm got the start for Falmouth and it was one of the best outings the Commodores have seen from him this summer.
Blohm was dominant, especially early on when he struck out four Mariners in a row over the second and third inning. Blohm only allowed one hit up until the fifth inning when Max Burt blasted a solo shot to pull Harwich within one. Tyler would record one more out in the fifth before being taken out due to his climbing pitch count. The Maryland pitcher would finish his gem of a start with six strikeouts, one earned run, and only two hits allowed over five plus innings.
Blohm wasn’t the only pitcher having a great game. Harwich starting pitcher Theodore Rodliff tossed four plus innings only allowing one run. Rodliff (Stony Brook) also struck out three and only gave one free pass via the walk all night.
The scoreless tie was broken in the third inning after an Austin Langworthy (Florida) sac-fly scored Marty Bechina to put Falmouth out in front 1-0.
Two innings later, Clayton Daniel ripped a single to score the speedy Hunter Steinmetz (Missouri State) to increase the lead to 2-0. Daniel (Jacksonville State) was 4-4 in this game, putting him at 42 hits on the season which is good for third best in the league.
After Max Burt (Northeastern) cut the lead in half for Harwich, the Commodores went to their bullpen.
Luke Corbin (Samford U) made his first appearance for Falmouth and his time was short, after allowing a single and walk to load the bases for the Mariners. Ian Koch (Western Illinois) came into the tough situation and handled it like a professional, forcing a flyout and then striking out Nick Delesandro (Purdue) to get out of the jam.
Next inning the Mariners threatened again. For the second straight inning the bases were loaded and once more Falmouth was able to get out of the jam. This time it was Zach Leban (Kansas) who “defended the wall”, coming out of the bullpen and keeping Harwich off of the scoreboard in the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh the ‘Dores padded their lead.
After Steinmetz and Daniel walked, Austin Langworthy placed a perfect bunt that increased the lead thanks to a Harwich miscue. The Langworthy bunt forced Harwich third baseman Jonathan India to make a quick play and the throw was launched into the Falmouth bullpen, allowing both Falmouth speedsters to cross the plate with ease.
This play seemed to derail Harwich. A few batters later Trevor Larnach (Oregon State) singled to score Langworthy and then Alec Bohm (Wichita) would score on a wild pitch to blow the game open. The seventh inning surge of runs continued when Marty Bechina singled to score Larnach, increasing Falmouth’s lead to 7-1.
Brian Gadsby (UCLA) came in to pitch both the eighth and ninth innings and he got the job done, slamming the door on any hope of a Harwich comeback.
There was a lot to like about Falmouth’s performance tonight as the team will head into the All-Star break this weekend.
Tyler Blohm dominated the first half of the game and the bullpen was phenomenal in relief. The offense was hitting on all cylinders, racking up twelve hits and eight runs.
Falmouth sends five to the All-Star Game in Spillane Field tomorrow. Alec Bohm, Clayton Daniel and George Janca will start at first, second and third respectively for the Western Divison. Mitchell Miller (Clemson) and Kyle Bradish (New Mexico State) are reserve pitchers. Marty Bechina will compete in the home run derby.
The All-Star Game begins at 6:05 PM EST. Falmouth returns to action the following night at Doran Park for a pivotal game against the Bourne Braves.
The Commodores Corner 