Braves eliminated from playoff contention in loss to Cotuit

For the first time since 2006, the Cape Cod Baseball League will experience a postseason without the Bourne Braves.

Following an 8-2 loss to the Cotuit Kettleers, the field is set for the West Division, though seeding will be determined in the coming days.

Starter Austin Pope (Fairfield) struggled with his command, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over four innings.

After a couple swings from Peyton Burdick (Wright State) gave the Kettleers an early lead, Bourne’s Ashton  Bardzell (Hartford) cut the deficit in half in the fourth inning but produced the lone RBI hit of the night for the Braves. Infielder Tyler Fitzgerald (Louisville) added a run off of a groundout in the sixth.

Bourne left 14 men on base, stranding at least two runners in five of the final six innings.

Riddled with injuries over the second half of the season, the Braves continued to rally, showing resilience down to their final out.

Coming Up: The Braves are off on Monday before returning to action at McKeon Park, where they will wrap up their season series with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks