Graphic by Maya Ferland
Article By: Taylor Viles
Week one of the 2021 Cape League summer was a success. Fans wittnessed 43 home runs spanning 26 games from Father’s Day on June 20 to June 26, one team didn’t lose once during their five games over the week, and each division is crowded with competition. This sets up a possibility for some exciting headlines and games to follow during week two.
Storylines to consider:
Bourne Braves win streak
The closest team to the Cape Cod Canal has still not lost a game. This begs the question, how long will their dominance continue? The team has eight players hitting above .300 and 39 RBI on the young season. This leads the entire league by a wide margin as does their combined team average of .310. On the pitching front, the Braves’ staff have an ERA of 2.50. With an overall record of 6-0, it seems this team is shutting down opposing offenses and pummeling the pitchers they face. Teams will have a tough time solving Harvey Shapiro’s club this week.
High Scoring Games
Since 2017, average runs scored each game is up significantly each season. During the first week of this season, Cape League games are averaging 9.5 runs per game, up from 9.1 in 2019, 8.5 in 2018, and 7.5 in 2017 (each stats taken from first week numbers only). A league that has been known as a pitchers league due to hitters using wooden bats a new skill for some to learn, has become a place where hitters thrive. It will be interesting to see if games continues to be won in the batters box or if the pitchers will begin to find their grove this week.
Player to watch:
Jace Bohrofen, Falmouth Commodores, OF, University of Oklahoma
Bohrofen, a rising sophomore, has picked the perfect time to come into his own at the plate. After hitting .252 with two home runs and 18 RBI in 35 games this spring with Oklahoma, he has busted out in a major way this summer. Although it’s still early, Bohrofen is already close to surpassing those numbers in only a fraction of the games played. He has started all six games for the Commodores, batting .350 with two home runs and nine RBI. If he is able to continue his excellence with the bat over the next few weeks, he is sure to garner the notice of major league scouts looking for a potential star. Falmouth fans should pay attention this week when he steps up to the plate.
Must watch games:
Brewster @ Yarmouth-Dennis- June 28, 5PM
This matchup features not only the top two seeds in a busy East Division, but two rivals who play ball on diamonds only 14 minutes from each other. Brewster (3-2-1), after a rough beginning to their season, is in the middle of a three game winning streak and looks to keep the momentum moving forward. YD (3-2-2) is coming off of an ultra-rare 0-0 tie on Sunday night against Orleans which displayed tremendous starting pitching. This should be a hard-fought battle from two teams still looking to find their identity this summer. The winner will walk away with first place in the East.
Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/user/ydredsoxccbl
Cotuit @ Harwich- July 2, 6:30PM
This interleague games marks the first time these teams compete against each other since Cotuit hoisted the championship trophy after beating the Mariners in 2019. It is a matchup that fans of either team won’t forget and poses the first opportunity for Harwich to enact revenge. At this writing, Cotuit is in the middle of a two game losing streak and a chance to take an ego-boosting game such as this one could prove important to guiding their competitiveness this summer. Harwich has won two in a row and will try to stay hot. Look for Harwich fans to make noise from the stands as their team fights to stay in the race in an undecided East Division.
Livestream link: https://youtube.com/channel/UCwPvkeZttTknpuAg3FIezcw
Falmouth @ Cotuit- July 3, 5PM
On back to back nights, Cotuit has the chance to beat a team that it knocked off during the 2019 playoffs, but this time in front of their home crowd. The Commodores lost the second round series in two games, but now has a chance to forget that season’s ending and instead continue the winning ways already in place in 2021. At the beginning of week two, Jeff Trundy’s squad has a 3-2-1 record and sit second in the West Division. A win against their rival, the Kettleers, should cause an increase in momentum as they try to keep the Bourne Braves from running away with the division. Get ready for a night with lots of offense from teams with similar statistics.
Livestream link: https://youtube.com/user/OfficialKettleers
