The Falmouth Commodores’ 2021 season was certainly one to remember, as the club made its return to the diamond after 683 days of anticipation. The club navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, as the world worked to return to normalcy.
Falmouth ultimately finished in fourth place in the West Division, posting a 14-19-2 record. Manager Jeff Trundy said that he was simply happy that the group had the opportunity to play in “the premier collegiate summer baseball league.”
“It’s just been so special to be able to see kids compete again and be able to enjoy a game that they love, and they’ve worked so hard at,” Trundy said. “And [to] have this opportunity to experience the Cape. The Cape is an awesome, awesome experience, and for these kids to be able to have that chance this summer, has been special.”
The 2021 season presented unique challenges, including several rule changes. Any game that was unable to be played because of inclement weather was not made up at a later date, canceling five scheduled games. The Cape Cod Baseball League also did not play extra innings this season, resulting in two ties after nine innings, for Falmouth.
Despite facing these obstacles, this Commodores team gave the Falmouth faithful something to cheer for each night. First baseman Kris Armstrong (Florida) led the team in several offensive categories, posting a .308 batting average with seven home runs and 21 runs batted in.
Pitcher Anthony DeFabbia (Stetson) tied for the league lead in wins, tallying four victories for the ‘Dores. The southpaw said that while his primary objective was to help the team win, he was proud to be at the top of the list in victories.
“It’s pretty cool,” DeFabbia said. “When I’m out pitching, I don’t really try to focus on my individual stats, it’s more [about] trying to help the team win in any way I can. But when you look at it, I think it’s a pretty cool feeling to see your name at the top of the leaderboard.”
Second baseman Brayden Taylor (TCU), outfielder Jace Bohrofen (Arkansas), and pitchers Chase Jeter (Sacred Heart) and Lucas Gordon (Texas) were named to the 2021 West Division All-Star team. But the league did not hold an All-Star game this season, due to the ongoing pandemic.
The ‘Dores also delivered several memorable moments throughout the course of the summer. Armstrong gave the club its only walk-off of the season, crushing a game-winning blast against the Chatham Anglers on July 25.
Armstrong was also a part of the Commodores’ offensive clinic on July 6 at Brewster, in which the club left the yard six times in a 14-2 victory over the Whitecaps.
Anthony Hall (Oregon) finished the season on a high note, ending the campaign with hits in 11 of his last 12 games, raising his batting average from .200 to .283. He tallied 18 hits, nine extra-base hits, nine RBIs, nine runs, seven walks and just six strikeouts over that stretch.
While the 2021 Commodores fell short of reaching the postseason, the organization achieved its goals of developing its players both on and off the field. Pitching coach Mike Landry said that he was thrilled to bring baseball back to Falmouth for a memorable season.
“I know that the season as a whole, not getting into the playoffs and everything, it’s not the way that we would have liked it,” Landry said. “But you’ve got to remind yourself how fortunate we are just to be out here and have the opportunity to be playing and competing again.”
Note: Featured image by Meghan Murphy.
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Tommy Mumau can be reached at tmumau@ithaca.edu. Follow him on Twitter @tommymumau13.
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