New-look Braves unable to end losing streak

By: Zachary Pekale

Riding a five game losing streak with a roster marred by injury, the Bourne Braves opted to experiment with their lineup on Tuesday.

Though the concept was high-risk, high reward, the payoff was ultimately more Hyde than Jekyll, a procedure that many coaches hope to avoid.

In Bourne’s 8-4 loss to the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, five starters played out of position as the Braves dropped their sixth straight game.

“Last time I played outfield was my senior year of high school. It was weird being back out there” Thaddeus Phillips (Connecticut) said. “We’re trying to do what we can. We know it’s not our spot but we gotta hustle, make plays whenever we can.”

Starter Harrison Rutkowski (Rutgers) struggled with his command, allowing seven baserunners (three hits, four walks) in 1.2 innings, conceding four earned runs to receive the loss.

Against both Rutkowski and Hyannis’ Nicholas MacDonald, offense was bountiful at McKeon Park. Trailing 4-0, Bourne began to rally during the Florida International product’s two frames on the mound.

In the third inning, base hits from Tyler Fitzgerald (Louisville) and Anthony Prato (Connecticut) put runners on second and third before Jared Triolo (Houston) and Spencer Brickhouse (East Carolina) drove in runs to chip away at the Braves’ deficit.

Triolo later came around on a wild pitch, cutting the Hyannis lead to 4-3.

But when each team handed the ball off to its respective bullpen, the Harbor Hawks’ relievers only gave up three hits over the final seven innings.

For the Braves, Zach Peek (Winthrop) and Kyle Martin (Fordham) allowed four earned runs, giving up nine total hits in 6.1 innings of relief.

“Can’t really think about the fact that we’ve lost six in a row. Just gotta keep the same philosophy and go right at hitters,” Martin said. “We’ve still got time to get hot. Hopefully down the stretch run, we pick things up and streak into the playoffs.”

Coming Up: The Braves take on the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox for the first time since Opening Day. Bourne welcomes Y-D to Doran Park with first pitch set for 6 p.m.