Braves extinguish the Firebirds

Tiffany Seal

BOURNE, Mass.—The Braves (6-1) jumped up to an early lead Friday night on home turf against the Orleans Firebirds (4-3) with a final score of, 9-5.

The lineup got to the Firebird bullpen early, with starting pitcher Eli Morgan (Gonzaga) lasting just two innings. Morgan received the loss in which he gave up eight earned runs off nine hits, while striking out three and walking two.

Leadoff Connor Wong (Houston) and middle of the lineup, Justin Yurchak (Binghamton) and Connor McVey (Cincinnati), continued to produce runs. The three combined to go 8 for 12 with McVey manufacturing three of the nine earned runs on the night.

New arrival third baseman Evan Mendoza (NC State) went 1 for 3 with 2 RBI and fielded the hot corner with ease, making two back-to-back plays in the top of the second.

The Braves’ bullpen saw work Friday night as starting pitcher David Drouin (Hartford) went three innings giving up three earned runs off four hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

All four runs came off second baseman Zach Kirtley (St. Mary’s College) who hit a grand slam to left field.

Duke reliever James Ziemba pitched 1 2-3 innings, holding the Firebirds hitless.

Conner O’Neil (Cal State Northridge) came in the eighth and gave up just one hit with one walk and two strikeouts over two innings.

Situational hitting improved for Bourne-who has left 65 base runners on the paths over the first seven games of the season.

Friday, six were left on with 12 hits.

Roster players are continuing to trickle in for the Braves, who are expected to have their entire roster by next week.

The team heads on the road to face the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (2-5) at 5 p.m. Friday at Red Wilson Field.