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Cape League Weekly Preview - Week Four

07/04/2022 7:10 AM

Article By: Ethan Kagno

A triple-play and no-hitter in the same week? While that may not be replicated in Week 4, there will certainly be plenty of fireworks (quite literally) to look forward to around Independence Day. Here’s what you should know for week four.

Headlines:

Firebirds Engulf the Anglers
On Wednesday night at Eldredge Park, the Redbirds threw a combined no-hitter against their rival Chatham Anglers. Bryce Warrecker (Cal Poly) was perfect in six innings of work, striking out seven and lowering his ERA and WHIP to 0.73 apiece in his first start of the summer. Josh Allen (Duke) and Chris Clark (Harvard) combined for the final nine outs, striking out six A’s in the 4-0 victory. Orleans returns to action tonight at Veterans Field (7:00 pm) for a 4th of July matchup against their rival, though Chatham is hoping for a more positive outcome.

A 3-6-4 Triple Play!?
As if a combined no-no wasn’t enough, the Orleans Firebirds turned a 3-6-4 triple-play during Game 2 of their double-header against Cotuit on June 26th. Kevin Sim (San Diego) made an outstanding sliding grab to catch a Chandler Simpson bunt attempt. He then tossed it to Nik McClaughry who tagged second and fired to Nate Furman (UNC Charlotte) at first to get Cam Collier and Justin Miknis out to complete the trifecta. Orleans find themselves at 9-8-2 and are currently in third place behind Brewster. Cotuit still owns the Cape’s best record at 14-3-3 and are in action tonight against Falmouth at home (5:00 pm).

Player to Watch:

Tommy Troy (Stanford)

Tommy Troy made a loud return to the Cape on Thursday night when he made his debut for the Cotuit Kettleers. Troy went 3-for-4 with a double, triple, and walk-off home run against his former Wareham squad. He added a 2-for-4 night with a double in Sunday’s loss to Falmouth to bring his average up to .333. The Stanford Cardinal enjoyed an all-star season last summer for the Gatemen. He slashed .299/.364/.479, was tied for the league lead in triples (3), and ranked fourth in stolen bases (9). Troy will be a regular in the lineup moving forward, especially with the likely departures of several draft-bound Kettleers. Troy will be eligible for the 2023 MLB Draft as he enters his junior season at Stanford.


Marquee Matchup:

The Hottest Teams Square Off
Hyannis vs Yarmouth-Dennis - July 4, 5:00 pm at Red Wilson Field
While you can’t go wrong visiting any field on the 4th of July, this matchup is one you won’t want to miss. I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz around the league referring to the two hottest teams on the Cape. “Don’t let the Hawks get hot.” Too late. The Hyannis Harbor Hawks have taken flight, going 7-1-2 in their last 10, and have lost just two games since June 21st. During Hyannis’ 9-game unbeaten streak (before being snapped), they outscored their opponents 45-16 and are now 11-6-3; surpassing their win total from last season in which they had just nine wins. However, the Sox are just as hot. Winners in seven of their last 10 games, Y-D ranks first in the East Division (11-7-2). The Red Sox are one of the better pitching squads on the Cape, with Jared Lyons (Virginia Tech) possessing a 1.96 ERA, 25 SO (T-1st in the CCBL), and two wins. Not to mention a stacked lineup that includes Hunter Haas (Arizona State), Michael Boeve (Nebraska Omaha), and Cole Carrigg (San Diego State). The two teams went head-to-head last night at McKeon Park, and it was the Harbor Hawks who pulled off the come-from-behind victory late in the game to give them a 5-2 victory. The two squads head back to Red Wilson Field with the home side looking for some revenge. Barring a tie, Independence Day should bring some clarity as to who the hottest team in the league is.