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Braves swept in doubleheader against Falmouth

By: Carson Field

In a span of two days, the Braves will play three games against the Falmouth Commodores. With both teams already cemented in the playoffs, this could be practice for a postseason matchup. 

As it stands, the Braves are the four seed in the West Division, while the Commodores lead the division. Before Saturday’s doubleheader, 14 points separated the division adversaries. Two wins for Falmouth expanded that margin to 18. 

In the first game, all of the Commodores’ offense came in the first two frames. Zach Deloach started the scoring in the first inning, driving a 2-RBI double into the gap in left-center field. Later that inning, Deloach came around and scored for the Braves’ third run. 

But that wasn’t the end of it. Hayden Cantrelle smacked an RBI double and gave the Commodores a 4-0 lead. 

That productive start was enough for Falmouth to take game one, as Bourne scored just once on a Jared Poland double. JP Woodward earned the loss, giving up seven hits and four runs (two earned runs), bringing his record to 0-3. 

The next game wasn’t much of an improvement. 

For the ninth game in a row, the Braves allowed a run in the first inning. That started the offensive rally, which picked up in the second inning. Steven Moretto crushed a three-run home run to left field, allowing Falmouth to take a 4-1 lead. 

Even though Bourne closed the gap in the later innings, it wasn’t enough. The Commodores recorded a scoreless seventh inning, clinching the Saturday sweep. 

Saturday’s result only made it more likely that Bourne and Falmouth square off in the first round of the playoffs. With two games against Hyannis on Monday, Falmouth will likely pad its division lead. 

While both games ended in defeat for the Braves, shortstop Jimmy Glowenke thinks Saturday is good practice for a likely first-round matchup. 

“I think it prepares us pretty well,” Glowenke said. “We kind of got a feel for what we’re up against, and I think, defensively, it will be good to see what their hitters do.”

With Deloach, Cantrelle, Blake Dunn and others, Falmouth has one of the most powerful offenses in the West Division. 

“Their approach is really good and they’re on time with the fastball,” Glowenke said. “And they’re not afraid to go first pitch.”

Even before a potential matchup with Falmouth in the postseason, the Braves and Commodores have one regular-season matchup remaining on Sunday evening. 

But, ahead of the postseason, Glowenke said his team needs to sharpen the approach at the plate. 

“We need to work on timely hitting, being on time with the fastball early in the count and going up there with a plan,” Glowenke said.