Where the Stars of Tomorrow Shine Tonight!

Article By: Brian Butler

The First Round of the Cape League playoffs have come and gone, and there was no shortage of exciting baseball. There were two walk-offs, two extra-inning games on the same night, and plenty of exciting action. As the Division Championships gear up, let’s take a look at the Series Stars for each First Round matchup.

Bourne Braves (4) def. Cotuit Kettleers (1): Josh Kuroda-Grauer, 2B/OF, Rutgers

The Bourne Braves pulled off the upset in Round One, sweeping the Cotuit Kettleers. Many of the biggest contributions in that series came from the bat of Josh Kuroda-Grauer, who posted a 1.455 OPS in the series while going 5-10 in the two games. Kuroda-Grauer homered, tripled, drove in four and scored three times. The Rutgers infielder also delivered the final blow of the series, lifting a sacrifice fly to drive in Jonathan Vastine and walk off Game Two in the Bottom of the 11th inning.

Hyannis Harbor Hawks (2) def. Falmouth Commodores (3): Trey Lipsey, OF, Ohio State

The Hyannis Harbor Hawks also pulled off a sweep in Round One, with Trey Lipsey leading the way. Lipsey went 3-5 in the two games, adding two walks. The Buckeye outfielder also drove in four key runs, scored twice, and stole two bases for the Hawks. Lipsey also delivered several key hits to fuel the Hawks’ Game Two comeback.

Orleans Firebirds (2) def. Harwich Mariners (3), Jack Penney, SS/3B, Notre Dame

Round One’s other walk-off hero was Orleans’s Jack Penney. Penney delivered a game-ending single in the Firebirds’ Game One win, fueling the first victory in the Orleans sweep. Altogether in the series, Penney went 3-7 with two RBI and a run scored. The Notre Dame infielder also walked three times without striking out in the two game series.

Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (1) def. Brewster Whitecaps (4): Finnegan Wall, RHP, California Irvine

Finnegan Wall was absolutely nails for Y-D when they needed him the most. Wall pitched Game Two for the Red Sox, throwing six no-hit innings to help them survive and advance to Game Three. The Anteater arm struck out five Whitecaps in the process while allowing just three men to reach base and letting none of them score.