Christian, Mariners Shut Down Braves Offense

By: Jacob Janower (Photo: Blaine McCormick)

Tuesday’s matchup between the two lowest scoring offenses in the Cape Cod Baseball League played out very much like the stats indicated.

The Harwich Mariners (8-16-1) snapped their five-game losing streak by defeating the Braves (13-12) in a pitching duel, 3-1.

Mariners starter Brian Christian (Northeastern) cruised through the Braves order multiple times, throwing seven shutout innings, the longest that a pitcher has gone against Bourne all season. Just two players reached base during the night on a single and a walk.

In total, the Braves mustered up only three hits. Grant Witherspoon’s (Tulane) home run in the eighth was the lone offensive firework. It was the team’s seventh home run of the season.

For the Braves offense, the lack of scoring appeared to be a case of them reverting back to the norm. They had scored 15 runs in the last two games, and were overachieving at the plate based off of most of their outputs this season.

Errors Cost Crane, Braves

Andrew Crane (Troy) made his second start of the season, and all things considered, did well. He did suffer from some defensive mishaps, as two of the three runs he allowed were unearned.

A throwing error by third baseman Jared Triolo (Houston) on a potential third out and another miscue by Grant Williams (Kennesaw State) forced runs home in consecutive innings.

The only earned run Crane allowed was on a solo home run to the first batter he faced, Antoine Duplantis (LSU).

Christian Ryder (Georgia) and Ronnie Rossomando (Connecticut) combined for three scoreless innings out of the pen. After running into trouble in the eighth, Ryder was aided by a highlight-reel diving catch by left fielder Richie Palacios (Towson) at the warning track.

Stat That Mattered

Two. The amount of at-bats that the Braves had with runners in scoring position. The opportunity came when Grant Williams walked in the fourth inning and moved to second on a ground out. However, he was stranded there.

The inability to generate base runners put the Braves at a severe disadvantage in the run column.

Brave of the Game

On a day in which very few players stood out, Jameson Hannah’s two hits were a positive sign both for the offense and for himself. He has struggled during most of his time with Bourne, but his two singles could be a sign of things to come.

Coming Up: Zack Hess (LSU) will make his first start of the season for the Braves as they return to Doran Park to play the Wareham Gatemen.