Braves Edge Mariners in Opening Game of 2026 Cape League Championship
The 2026 Cape League Championship Series got off to a lively start at Whitehouse Field, where a crowd of over 4,000 fans watched the defending champions Bourne Braves defeat the Harwich Mariners 7-3.
Bourne, guided by manager Scott Landers, are chasing their fourth title in five seasons, a feat that would cement their recent dominance in the league.
The Mariners, led by Steve Englert, had broken Bourne’s streak in 2024 and were eager to reclaim the crown, but the Braves’ early momentum proved decisive.
The game swung in Bourne’s favor in the third inning when a timely double and single handed the visitors a 2-0 lead, a margin they would extend throughout the contest.
Relief pitcher Joshua Surigao, along with Colton Starling and Connor Lehman, shut down the Mariners’ offense in the second inning, preserving the early advantage.
However, the sixth inning brought a hiccup for Harwich’s TJ Ziermann, who walked six batters and loaded the bases, allowing Bourne to plate three runs and pull ahead 5-2.
The Braves’ bullpen tightened, and the Mariners could not recover, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
In the ninth inning, Eliot Medlock delivered a two‑run double that sealed a 7-3 victory, sending the series back to Bourne for Game Two.
With the win, Bourne now leads the series 1-0 and stands one victory away from securing their fourth championship in five years, while Harwich must force a Game Three at home to keep their hopes alive.