By: Greg Levinsky
BOURNE – In a contest that saw three lead changes, the Falmouth Commodores ceded the last in dropping a 7-5 decision to the Bourne Braves at Doran Park.
Despite taking an early four run lead, the Commodores (7-9) saw their five-game winning streak come to a close in a comeback win for the Braves (9-7-1). Falmouth tied a season-high with 12 hits, but left as many runners on base on Saturday night.
“It was a weird game in the sense of that we had some good at-bats, and we had some bad at-bats,” said Commodores head coach Jeff Trundy. “You’re not going to get a guy in from scoring position every single time you’re in that situation, but we have to do a better job with our approach.”
A long third inning put the Commodores ahead, but Bourne responded.
The Commodores flexed four runs in the top of the third inning off Bourne starter Austin Pope (Fairfield) to take a commanding lead, highlighted by RBI knocks from Kyle Stowers (Stanford) and Cameron Cannon (Arizona).
Bourne cut its deficit in half in the bottom of the frame, as Ashton Bardzell (Hartford) hit a 1-1 pitch from Commodores’ starter Will Ethridge (Ole Miss) over the left field fence to make it 4-2.
A rising junior, Ethridge (3.2 innings, 5 earned runs) made his second appearance and first start of the summer. He exited in the fourth inning with a minor blister on his hand.
“He had one bad pitch, but all things considered I thought he did pretty well,” Trundy said.
Falmouth reliever Declan Cronin (Holy Cross) inherited runners on first and second. He surrendered three runs on an RBI singles by Louisville teammates Danny Oriente (Louisville) and Tyler Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald’s knock scored two as Bourne took a 5-4 lead.
After enduring a 2-for-29 stretch, Cannon has snapped his funk at the plate. He’s been a defensive whiz at third base, but looks more comfortable at the plate. Integral in last night’s win, going 2-for-5 with a walk-off single, Cannon (2-for-5, 2 RBIs) continued his tear in tying the game in the top of the fifth with an RBI single. Even though Cannon struck out to end the contest, he worked a 13 pitch at-bat.
“He’s having really good at-bats now,” Trundy said. “I think he’s playing really well.”
Bourne manufactured a run in the bottom of the frame, and added an insurance run in the eighth to finalize the 7-5 win.
After a six-game losing streak and five-game winning streak, Trundy simplified the key to consistency.
“You just gotta go out and play good baseball,” Trundy said. “It always comes down to good pitching, timely hitting and good defense.”
Greg Levinsky can be reached at glevinsk@bu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @GregLevinsky
Up next: Commodores host Brewster on Monday July 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Guv Fuller Field in Falmouth.
The Commodores Corner 