Hawks Outlast Red Sox in Hard-Fought 3-2 Win
By: Ben Pope
Even with their off-day Tuesday, the Harbor Hawks remained as locked in as they’ve been all season, taking down Yarmouth-Dennis 3-2 Wednesday. Hyannis is now 6-0-1 in the last week, holding onto second place in the Western Division.
“Another complete team win,” Coach Eric Beattie said post-game.
The Harbor Hawks (19-12-2) continue to keep pace with first-place Cotuit after taking down the Red Sox (17-14-1) for the second time in over a week.
The offense got to work early Wednesday night, as Hyannis was able to plate runs in the first and second to set the tone early.
After consecutive hits by Zach Ehrhard and Cam Smith in the first, Zach Yorke drove the lead runner in on an RBI groundout. In the second, it was baserunning that helped Hyannis, as Red Sox starter Micah Bucknam balked with the bases loaded to score the run.
Hyannis gave a lead to starter Bradley Hodges, coming off his best start of the season against Brewster. Despite not having his best stuff early, the left-hander was able to get through three scoreless frames, stranding six on the base paths for Yarmouth-Dennis.
“I was able to work my fastball and changeup and throw those where I wanted to…had good defense behind me, picked me up when I needed it.” Hodges said post-game.
After being set down in order in the fourth, the Red Sox lineup got their bats going in the fifth against Hyannis reliever David Case. Case, who had previously been unscored on in two prior appearances, gave up two consecutive hits before surrendering a two-run single to Ryan Stafford, knotting the game at two. Darin Horn entered after that and was able to keep the game tied at two.
Meanwhile, Micah Bucknam had really settled in for Yarmouth-Dennis, only allowing one baserunner over his final four innings before being relieved in the seventh. With Bucknam gone, Hyannis looked to cook up some of their offense’s two-out magic once again.
Trey Lipsey knocked a single up the middle to turn the lineup card over to Nick Mitchell, who was promptly hit to get runners at first and second. Zach Ehrhard, who had helped the run scoring in the first, lined a single to left and gave Hyannis back the lead.
Carter Lovasz and Jamie Arnold handled the rest, as the two relievers combined for four scoreless out of the ‘pen for Hyannis. The standout is Lovasz, who spun three scoreless frames and struck out four.
“[Carter’s] stuff has been electric, his arm speed’s been good, his changeup has been better, and hopefully he stays right there with us.” Coach Beattie said about his right-hander.
With Wednesday’s 3-2 victory, the Hyannis pitching staff has now held their opponents to three runs or less in five of their last seven contests.
When asked about the team’s recent hot stretch, Coach Eric Beattie kept it simple and is looking at the games one at a time.
“Just going to try and go 1-0 again tomorrow,” Beattie said.
Hyannis finishes their two-game road trip Thursday with a date with Orleans, trying to win their first head-to-head matchup with the Firebirds this season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 P.M.
Ben Pope can be reached at bpope9202@gmail.com and can be found on Twitter @bope016.
