By AJ Spirito
FALMOUTH- The West Division race has been about as tight as a Death Star trench run.
Falmouth, Bourne, Cotuit, and even Wareham are all aiming for the top spot and it’s up for grabs with about a week left of regular season ball. The Gatemen were in town for Star Wars night at The Guv but the force was just a bit stronger with the hometown ‘Dores as Falmouth squeaked out a 2-1 win.
Fans were treated to quite the pitching duel between James McArthur (Ole Miss) and Mason Feole (UConn).
McArthur went five innings only allowing one run off of a home run. The Ole Miss righty pitched very well retiring fifteen of the twenty-one batters he faced. His counterpart, Feole, left the Commodores guessing, striking out five and not allowing a run over four innings.
The Commodores were able to load the bases with two outs in the first inning but Marty Bechina (Michigan State) was unable to capitalize, leaving the game scoreless.
The scoreless tie didn’t last for long though.
Blake Sabol (USC) launched a mammoth solo shot to put Wareham up 1-0 in the second and that was the only offense we would see from the Gatemen all night.
Unfortunately for Wareham, their bullpen couldn’t keep the Feole dominance going.
Once Wareham’s starter came out of the game the ‘Dores were finally able to get on the board and in began in dramatic fashion.
Trevor Larnach (Oregon State) hit a double that would bring the quick Clayton Daniel around third base. The throw came in from right field and Daniel (Jacksonville State) did a Superman dive into home, evading the tag to score Falmouth’s first run.
George Janca (Texas A&M) would add to the fifth inning fun, singling to score Larnach and putting the Commodores ahead 2-1.
In a tight game you need your bullpen to perform and the Falmouth pen did just that tonight. Israel Fuentes, Derrick Adams, and Brian Gadsby combined for three hits allowed over three innings, shutting out Wareham and setting up Ryan Zeferjahn to come in and get his fifth save on the year.
Zeferjahn (Kansas) came in and shined like a true closer going 1-2-3 in the ninth to finish off the Gatemen and lock up the fifth straight home victory for the Commodores.
Bourne and Cotuit both lost their games tonight so Falmouth now moves back into first in this back and forth divisional race that will end in less than a week.
The ‘Dores (20-18-1) will play another crucial game tomorrow, traveling to face division rival Cotuit (18-18-1). First pitch will be at 5 PM at Lowell Park.
The Commodores Corner 