The opening contest of the Cape Cod Baseball League championship series unfolded on a crisp evening, with the Bourne Braves emerging victorious over the Harwich Mariners by a score of 7‑3, giving the Braves a 1‑0 edge in the best‑of‑three showdown.
Harwich takes an early lead
Harwich seemed poised to dictate the pace early, plating three runs in the first few innings after a timely single from Brayden Jaksa, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly that left the Mariners ahead 3‑0.
Bourne’s rally
Bourne’s bats woke up in the sixth frame, as Ryker Waite and Rustan Rigdon delivered back‑to‑back singles that sparked a rally, followed by a cascade of wild pitches and walks that erased the deficit and tied the game at 5‑3.
Relief pitching shines
Relief pitcher Joshua Surigao steadied the Braves, logging 3 ⅓ innings of scoreless relief, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out several key batters.
Final insurance runs
The bullpen’s composure paid dividends when Eliot Medlock added two insurance runs in the ninth, extending the lead to 7‑3 and preserving the advantage.
What’s at stake
For Bourne, the stakes are historic; a sixth championship would cement a dynasty, while Harwich seeks its first title and the chance to rewrite a season of near‑misses.