BOURNE, Mass. – The Falmouth Commodores fell to the Bourne Brave 2–1 on Sunday night, as both pitching staffs managed to contain the bats.
The Commodores had a solid night on the mound, allowing just two runs on three hits. Will Johnston started for the ’Dores, giving up two runs while striking out three batters in four innings of work. Matthew Bohnert impressed out of the bullpen in his team debut, fanning two batters in a pair of shutout frames. George Arias also delivered a productive relief effort, throwing two scoreless innings.
Manager Jeff Trundy said he was pleased with how the team pitched in the contest, limiting Bourne’s lineup.
“We gave up two runs in the first and then threw up a bunch of zeros,” Trundy said. “I thought every guy out there threw really, really well. So that’s really encouraging, I thought, moving forward.”
Falmouth’s offense was held in check, scoring just one run despite recording eight hits. While the team ultimately fell short, third baseman Anthony Mackenzie had a solid night by going 2-for-3 with a walk. First baseman Jacob Walsh scored the club’s only run of the game, crossing the plate on a wild pitch.
The Braves got on the scoreboard early on Sunday, taking a 2–0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Right field Mac Horvath dropped a two-run double into left-center field, driving in Matt Shaw and Christopher Brito.
The Commodores got a run back in the top of the fifth, narrowing their deficit to 2–1. Walsh came home to score on a wild pitch by Bourne reliever Nigel Belgrave.
This would hold as the final score, as both sides traded zeros for the remainder of the game. Arias was dominant in his second outing of the season, managing to keep the opposition hitless in the seventh and eighth innings.
The University of Arizona hurler said he was encouraged by his outing on Sunday, following an appearance against the Harwich Mariners on July 26 where he allowed a run without retiring a batter. Arias had not appeared in a ballgame since June 6 with the Arizona Wildcats, before pitching against Harwich.
“I think [I] definitely got a little more acclimated,” Arias said. “I think definitely the fastball [and] curveball were definitely working. The changeup, I tried throwing it, was just not having it today. But pitching’s about that, you’re not always going to have all your stuff, so just make do with what you have.”
The ’Dores had a chance to tie the game in the top of the ninth, putting runners on first and third base with two outs. The game ended with shortstop Alex Mooney grounding out to third base. Trundy said he was impressed with how the team competed until the final out, giving itself an opportunity to even the score.
“All you can ask is giving yourself a chance to win,” Trundy said. “We talk about ‘hey, let’s see if we get the tying run to the plate.’ And, we did more than that … [we had the] tying run at the third. Mooney battled, [and Braves’ pitcher Ty Cummings] made some good pitches.”
The loss drops Falmouth’s record to 18–20–4 on the season. Trundy said that despite dropping Sunday’s contest he is pleased with how the team has played in recent games, as the postseason is approaching.
“Obviously I don’t like the end result, but I love how we’re competing,” Trundy said. “[I’m] really happy with the way they’ve treated the end of the season. These guys want to keep it going and [they’re] enjoying the moment and I’m really proud to be part of it.”
The Commodores will return to action at 6 p.m. August 1, as the team will travel to take on the Wareham Gatemen at Spillane Field.
Note: Featured image by Charlotte Macht.
Click here for Sunday night’s box score.
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Tommy Mumau can be reached at tmumau@ithaca.edu. Follow him on Twitter @tommymumau13.
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