Darien Smith (Southeastern) pitching in Brewster’s win Wednesday evening. Photo credit: Sadie Parker
By Mark Rappaport
BREWSTER––Wednesday afternoon, the Brewster Whitecaps came into a crucial matchup with the Chatham Anglers, just eight points ahead of fifth-place Chatham, battling for the final playoff spot.
The Whitecaps (15-21-2) left Stony Brook ten points ahead of the Anglers (10-24-2) in a prime position to clinch the playoffs.
Although familiar issues plagued the Whitecaps as they left 10 runners on base and struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, Brewster scored five runs off 11 hits to defeat the Anglers, 5-1.
“When you got a team breathing up your neck and chasing you from behind, it is always good to get a little more separation,” Shevchik said. “There’s some big wins throughout the summer, but this is the biggest one so far.
Wednesday’s ballgame was an all-around effort, led by a rejuvenated pitching staff, which shut down Chatham’s offense.
Brewster’s starting pitcher Darien Smith (Southeastern) led the way, fresh off just one day of rest. Smith shone for his club in his second start as a Whitecap and notched the win in six strong innings of work, giving up just one earned run on seven hits and one walk, alongside two punchouts.
“I was throwing the ball well, everything was really working for strikes and able to get ahead,” Smith said. “I feel good, you know, I feel confident and just want to keep it going.”
Smith preparing for his next pitch in the early innings of the ballgame. Smith pitched six innings of one run ball and recorded the win.
Whitecaps pitching coach Brian Del Rosso was impressed by what he saw from his starter tonight.
“Kid wants the ball. You’ve seen that out of him since he’s been here, wants every opportunity and he pitches,” Del Rosso said. “Certainly his best outing yet. Really exciting for him.”
Patrick Forbes (Louisville) relieved Smith and closed the door on any rally Chatham could have perceived, just as he has done all season. Forbes recorded the save and pitched the final three innings of the ballgame, giving up no runs, no hits, and just one walk, along with five strikeouts in his outing.
The Anglers got the scoring started against Smith in the second on four singles, headlined by a Deric Fabian (Florida) RBI knock to center, which scored Lane Forsythe (Mississippi State).
Then, Kaedan Kent (Texas A&M) launched a base hit and was poised to score Gavin Mez (Southern California) from second base. However, it was not to be, as Mez missed third base on his way home and was called out, ending the inning with a 1-0 Chatham advantage.
That run was the only run Chatham would get as Smith shut down Chatham’s offense and proceeded to give up just one more hit over the subsequent four frames.
Chatham’s fortunes did not get any better, either, as Brewster came storming back in the bottom frame off struggling Chatham righty Carson Pierce (Oklahoma).
Hunter D’Amato got the offense going and reached base off an error. Then, Mason White (Arizona) pummeled an RBI triple to center, scoring D’Amato to tie the game at one apiece. Michael Robertson (Florida) continued the rally with an RBI single to score White, and James Tibbs (Florida State) capped it off with a single of his own, scoring Robertson to give Brewster an early 3-1 lead.
The Whitecaps manufactured another run in the third, thanks once again to White, who notched his second RBI to knock in Brock Tibbitts (Indiana), extending the lead to 4-1.
The Whitecaps were not done with four runs, however, as they got a fifth run in the fifth inning off White’s second RBI triple of the night to score D’Amato. White, led Brewster’s offense Wednesday afternoon, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI.
White launching an RBI triple in the middle innings of the contest. Photo credit: Sadie Parker
“Just getting in a grove and just hopefully to continue throughout the summer,” White said.
That was all either club could muster after White’s RBI in the fifth. The Whitecaps and the Anglers both had multiple chances to score throughout the game, but neither capitalized.
The Whitecaps look to win two straight in a matchup with the Harwich Mariners at Whitehouse Field after an off day tomorrow, with first pitch at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening.