The opening game of the Cape Cod Baseball League’s Division Finals turned into a surprise as the third‑seeded Harwich Mariners knocked off the top‑seeded Y‑D Red Sox, 12‑9, at home.
Division Finals Openers Shock the League
Nikio Brini of Wofford ignited the Mariners with a three‑run homer in the fourth inning, pushing the lead to 5‑3. Ryder Robinson of Brigham Young answered with a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth, narrowing the gap, but the Mariners quickly pulled away.
Sean O'Leary and JP Peltier added back‑to‑back homers in the fifth, extending the advantage to 8‑4. Brayden Jaksa followed with a two‑run blast in the sixth, making it 10‑4, and the onslaught continued as Colin Larson and Cade Kurland each launched homers in the seventh to seal a 12‑4 victory.
The Red Sox mounted a late rally, scoring five runs in the ninth, but the Mariners held firm to finish 12‑9. Paul Jones II led the offense with three hits and a run, while Christian Rodriguez of Florida pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win.
Tommy Goodin of Vanderbilt was a bright spot for the Red Sox, going 3‑for‑4 with two RBIs and a run, but the team could not overcome the deficit.
Bourne Braves Edge Hyannis in a Nail‑Biter
In the second Division Finals showdown, the No. 2 Bourne Braves edged the No. 1 Hyannis Harbor Hawks, 12‑11, in a game that swung back and forth until the final innings.
Austin Hawke of Wake Forest delivered a clutch three‑run double in the eighth, giving Bourne the lead they would protect to the end. Luke Costello also contributed with a timely hit, while the Braves’ pitching staff managed to keep Hyannis’s potent lineup in check.
Hyannis entered the game on a nine‑win streak over their last ten outings, but the Braves’ resilience proved decisive. The close final score underscored the competitiveness of the league’s top teams as the series heads into the next game.
Both victories highlighted the depth of talent in the Cape Cod Baseball League, with standout performances from college standouts and a glimpse of the high stakes that define the Division Finals. Fans can expect more thrilling baseball as the matchups continue.