FALMOUTH – In the first R.E.D. (Remember Everyone Deployed) Friday of the Commodores season, Falmouth looked to stay undefeated.
But after a wild matchup filled with multiple lead changes and the game on the line, the Commodores remain with no losses as they tied the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, 9-9.
“Honestly, it was kinda weird once the game was over,” Commodores third baseman Steven Moretto said. “We were all in the dugout like, ‘Is the game over? Are we not going to keep playing?'”
The game felt almost incomplete.
With a 9-4 lead, the Harbor Hawks looked like they earned an easy victory. But after a five-run seventh inning, the Commodores spoiled Hyannis’ advantage.
Sacramento State’s Steven Moretto hit a two-run single in the seventh inning to tie up the game at nine.
“When I hit it, I honestly thought the left fielder was going to catch it,” Moretto said. “I was up in a big spot there with two outs and I was just trying to find a way to hit a ball hard and make some big play offensively.”
Commodore relievers Aidan Maldonado and Justin Wrobleski couldn’t match Mlodzinski’s quality outing. Both pitchers gave up three earned runs apiece and the two pitched two-thirds of an inning each.
“I would literally rather guys throw down the center of the plate and play with the percentages of the game then try and be too kind and just be missing off corners, which was what we saw tonight,” Commodores pitching coach Mike Landry said. “We saw a lot of pitches thrown in the backstop that I don’t think is going to be characteristic of our staff at all.”
But, Commodore pitcher Javin Drake entered the game and cooled down the hot Harbor Hawks. The right-hander threw one strike and one walk not allowing a single run to cross the plate.
The game started off on the right note for the ‘Dores. Falmouth shortstop Hayden Cantrelle hit a leadoff home run, the Commodores’ first home run of the season. Cantrelle went two-for-four with 2 RBIs.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling,” Cantrelle said. “I know that one was out. It’s something I’ll remember for a long time.”
The rising senior from the Louisiana-Lafayette has a history of success against the Harbor Hawks. In second season with the ‘Dores, Cantrelle hit .320 (8-25) with one home run, three triples and nine RBIs.
“Maybe there’s something in the water when I play them I don’t know,” Cantrelle said.
‘Dores starter Carmen Mlodzinski had a strong outing. The right-hander from South Carolina threw seven strikeouts and one walk giving up three runs on two hits.
“It just felt good to be back out there,” Mldozinski said. “It’s probably been around three and a half months since I last pitched. Just feeling healthy is the goal right now.”
The Harbor Hawks (0-2-1) were scoreless through the first four innings. From the fifth to the seventh, Hyannis scored three runs per inning.
Up Next: The Commodores (2-0-1) take on the Bourne Braves 6 p.m. June 15th at Arnie Allen Diamond at Guv Fuller Field.
Click here for tonight’s box score.
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Maxwell Trink can be reached at mht42@miami.edu. Follow him on twitter @MaxwellTrink.
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