Braves record league-leading fourth tie with Gatemen

By Mac Friday

(Photo: Braden Reed/Bourne Braves)

20 days ago, the Bourne Braves took their first tie of the 2022 CCBL season at Spillane Field against the Wareham Gatemen, their first matchup against an opponent in the West Division. On Sunday, there was a slightly different cast of characters, as well as events, but the outcome was the same, as the Braves and Gatemen went home after nine innings of baseball deadlocked 2-2.

​​The Gatemen came out hot with back-to-back base hits, including a deep RBI double to center by standout center fielder Hogan Windish. Designated hitter Jack Housinger got on his horse, scoring all the way from first. Braves starter Cade Boxrucker then allowed the third hitter aboard with a hit by pitch. A two-out RBI single from catcher Ryan Campos scored Windish from second base.

Bourne struck back in the second with a one-out single by first baseman Chris Brito, who scored on a two-run blast to right-center field by left fielder Evan Sleight off of Gatemen starter Michael Sansone, his second bomb of the season in just three days.

“I was just trying to get a pitch I could handle,” Sleight said. “He gave me a slider first pitch for a strike and it was a good pitch. I got it again and was able to handle it and just tried to get a good swing off early in the count and hit the ball hard.”

“Baseball is a tough game and sometimes you’re feeling good, sometimes you’re down. I’m really just trying to work hard with my teammates and hit the cages and batting practice very day and hope the good stuff shows up.”

With the game tied, Boxrucker settled in, retiring the next six batters he faced. When he came under fire in the fourth, Landers went to one of his most reliable arms as a starter and reliever, righty Ryan Fischer. The NJIT product dealt two and two-thirds innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just three hits with a walk and strikeout.

“He’s definitely pitched himself to stay here for the rest of the summer and done well with whatever role he’s had for us,” Landers said. “He did a really good job. He’s a bulldog. He wants to be here and he’s gonna play whatever role we need.”

Campbell righty Ty Cummings came in to reliever Fischer, and despite allowing four hits, he managed to escape every jam, including a two-out bases-loaded spot in the seventh. 

In the seventh, the Braves had two runners in scoring position with two outs but failed to cash in. With a runner on second in another two-out situation in the eighth, Bourne couldn’t capitalize again.

“We had our opportunities to score, but so did Wareham,” Lander said. “We found a way to shut them down and it was a back and forth contest. They came out early and we got a homer of our own and had some good at-bats later on, but still have to find a way to string some hits together.”

With the tie, Bourne currently leads the league in games resulting in deadlocks with four. For Sleight, it’s a feeling that’s tough to get used to.”

“A tie is better than a loss, but you want to get a win and it’s tough to go home and say you’re satisfied,” Sleight said. “We had opportunities to win the ballgame. So moving forward, we have to try to win tomorrow.”

The Braves are back in action against the Gatemen at home for the Fourth of July at Doran Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.