Article By: Joseph McLaughlin

It’s the final countdown.

The Gatemen enter the final quarter of the Cape Cod Baseball League season exactly where they would like to be: leading the West Division. Winning 10 of their last 12 games, highlighted by a seven-game winning streak, has put the Gatemen in control of their fate as they make a playoff push. 

They ended the third quarter of the season with a huge win over the Chatham Anglers on Tuesday, securing their first win against them this season. They also did it when the lights were brightest, with ESPN’s SportsCenter crew covering the game. 

The game showcased that both Wareham’s pitching and hitting are in tune and that the team is firing on all cylinders at the right time. They look to continue this momentum as they return home to host the Orleans Firebirds one last time this summer.

The Firebirds have been heating up lately, winning three straight games. Two of those wins were against two of the East’s best, the Y-D Red Sox, whom they defeated 6-5 on Friday, and the Brewster Whitecaps, whom they triumphed over 7-4 on Tuesday. 

Starting Pitchers

The Gatemen will start their two-way right-hander Caden McDonald (Florida). McDonald has been doing it all in July. He was awarded the Franklin Player of the Week award for the week of July 12-18 after tearing the cover off the ball at the plate. He crushed his fourth home run of the summer on Tuesday and now bats with a .327 average and a 1.028 OPS.

He has also been talented as a pitcher. In three starts and six appearances, he posted a 4.32 ERA, pitched 16 ⅔ innings, allowed 19 hits, nine runs (eight earned), four walks, and struck out 12 batters.

His last start against the Brewster Whitecaps was stellar. He went five innings, allowed 0 hits, 1 unearned run, and two walks while striking out six batters. If he can continue his dominance both at the plate and on the mound tonight, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

The Firebirds will counter with their right-handed starter, Jake Bean (Kent State). Bean has made one start in two appearances this summer and holds an 8.31 ERA. He pitched four and one-third innings, allowed seven hits, four earned runs, a walk, and struck out one batter. 

In his last start against the Chatham Anglers, he pitched three and a third innings, allowed five hits, three earned runs, one walk, and struck out one batter. He will need to be sharp against a tough Gatemen lineup that loves to get out to an early lead. 

Players to Watch

For Wareham: 

• Brayden Randle (Ole Miss) had a hot bat against Chatham on Tuesday. The Cape League All-Star went two-for-four with a walk, an RBI, and scored a run. He has delivered clutch hits for the Gatemen lately and makes a huge impact as the lead-off man.
• Colby Turner (Michigan) also has made a huge impact for the team in their recent success. The All-Star went two-for-four with two RBIs, and scored two runs. He is on a three-game hitting streak and the past two games has had two hit nights.

For Orleans:

• Alejandro Garza (Cal Poly) has been on fire for the Firebirds. He is on a five-game hitting streak, delivering a two-for-four performance against Brewster on Tuesday.
• Javar Williams (Wake Forest) also had a great night against Brewster. He went two-for-three with two RBIs and scored a run.

First pitch for tonight’s game will be at 6:00 p.m. at Spillane Field in Wareham. You can attend the game for free, or you can tune in to the Gatemen’s online broadcast on Cape League TV with Cory Miller, Josh Richardson, and Rayna Maggelet on the call by clicking HERE.