FALMOUTH, Mass. – The Falmouth Commodores defeated the Orleans Firebirds in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel on Monday night. The club got its first home victory of the season behind a dominant pitching performance, against one of the league’s best offenses.
Starting pitcher Tyler Tuthill stole the show, carving up the Firebird’s lineup. The Appalachian State product tossed six innings of no-run ball, striking out five batters in the process. The club also received solid outings from Mason Pelio and Lucas Gordon, who combined to blank Orleans over the final three frames.
Tuthill said that he believes the victory can serve as a point to build off, particularly because the club has a rematch with the Firebirds in its next contest.
“It’s huge,” Tuthill said. “We’ve been waiting for some momentum to go our way and I think [it] finally clicked for us, and we should carry it over into tomorrow.”
Neither the Commodores nor Firebirds got the memo that the MLB Home Run Derby was on Monday, as the ‘Dores were the only squad to plate a run. Kodie Kolden picked up his fifth hit of the year when it mattered most, delivering the winning hit late in the game.
Both Falmouth and Orleans dazzled on the mound, keeping the bats silent through the first six and a half innings of play.
The Commodores turned on the scoreboard in the seventh inning, when Kolden gave the club a 1-0 lead, by lining a clutch RBI single to left field. The go-ahead knock prompted Falmouth’s dugout to erupt, as the club emptied onto the field to greet Brennan Milone, when he crossed the plate.
Prior to getting the hit, Kolden had gone hitless over his last four games. Manager Jeff Trundy said he was happy to see the Washington State product’s hard work pay off.
“Kodie’s hit so many balls hard at people,” Trundy said. “For him to come through with that hit, I thought was absolutely awesome.”
The skipper then called on Gordon in the ninth inning, to lock down the team’s first win at Guv Fuller Field. The southpaw allowed a runner to get into scoring position, but was bailed out on a game-saving, sliding catch by left fielder Anthony Hall.
The victory improves the club’s record to 6-8-2 on the campaign. The Commodores will take on the Firebirds again at 7 p.m. on July 13, from Eldredge Park.
Click here for Monday night’s box score.
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Click here for the 2021 Falmouth Commodores schedule.
Tommy Mumau can be reached at tmumau@ithaca.edu. Follow him on Twitter @tommymumau13.
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