Orleans Firebirds

Orleans Holds Off Brewster Comeback For Unusual 8-7 Walk-Off Win

July 3, 2009

By Tyler Maland

Orleans, Mass. – Despite holding a 7-0 lead and getting a dominant performance from starter Casey Gaynor, the Orleans Firebirds needed a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to squeak by the Brewster Whitecaps for an 8-7 win Friday night at Eldridge Park. First baseman Jaren Matthews (Rutgers) and left fielder Jeremy Gould (Duke) were the offensive stars for Orleans, combining for three hits, six RBI’s and one homer apiece.

The Firebirds got those two home runs in the first inning and jumped ahead 7-0 before the end of the second. But Orleans found itself tied 7-7 in the sixth inning, trying to avoid losing to a Brewster team that came back to win 10-8 over Orleans on June 13^th. Instead of another disappointing comeback loss, the Orleans bullpen held Brewster scoreless for the final three innings and the Firebirds walked off with an 8-7 win when Gould was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

Orleans improves to 8-7, and is above .500 for the first time this season after starting 0-4. The Firebirds will appear in the Orleans 4^th of July Parade at 10:00 am on Saturday before traveling to league-leading Chatham for a 7:00 pm contest. Brewster is now 4-8-3, and will host Harwich Saturday at 5:00 pm.

In that ninth inning, the Firebirds bats awakened from a six-inning slumber at just the right time. Second baseman Danny Muno (Fresno State) led off the inning with a single to center, and right fielder Alex Hassan (Duke) moved Muno up to third base with a single of his own. Matthews was then intentionally walked, loading the bases with no outs. Brewster manager Tom Myers brought in an outfielder to use a rare five-infielder defense, but Orleans didn’t even put the ball in play to score the game-winning run. After striking out Michael Olt (Connecticut), Brewster reliever Steven Maxwell (TCU) struck Gould with a fastball, forcing Muno home to end the game. Maxwell (1-1) picked up the loss.

Brewster starter Casey Schmidt (San Diego) began the bottom of the first with two quick outs and appeared ready for a 1-2-3 inning. Instead, he gave up two two-run home runs, the first to right-center by Matthews and the second to left field by Gould. The second inning was not much better for Schmidt, as the Firebirds plated three more runs when Muno was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Hassan hit a sacrifice fly, and Matthews had another stinging hit for an RBI single. Schmidt was removed after just 1.1 innings, giving up four hits and those seven runs (all earned).

Gaynor, meanwhile, continued to roll, pitching five innings and scattering just four hits while striking out nine. Brewster put together four straight singles in the fourth inning to score two runs off the Orleans starter, who came into the game 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA and did not get a decision. It was after Gaynor departed that the Whitecaps mounted their comeback. They scored five runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a bases-loaded three-run triple by Jarrett Parker (Virginia), who then scored on a John Barr (Virginia) double to tie the game at seven.

Orleans needed a steady arm to hold off the Whitecaps comeback, and they got it from Matt Packer (Virginia), who earned the win in his first decision of the season. Packer threw three innings and did not even allow a hit, walking two and keeping the Whitecaps scoreless while striking out five.

Matthews finished 2-for-4 with three RBI’s and his second round-tripper of the season, and Gould was 1-for-4 with three RBI’s and his first home run. Hassan was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and shortstop Devin Lohman finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Aside from Parker, Harold Martinez (Miami) was the only other offensive standout for Brewster, going 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and a run scored.

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Home Firebirds News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Orleans Holds Off Brewster Comeback For Unusual 8-7 Walk-Off Win July 3, 2009 By Tyler Maland Orleans, Mass. – Despite holding a 7-0 lead and getting a dominant performance from starter Casey Gaynor, the Orleans Firebirds needed a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to squeak by the Brewster Whitecaps for an 8-7 win Friday night at Eldridge Park. First baseman Jaren Matthews (Rutgers) and left fielder Jeremy Gould (Duke) were the offensive stars for Orleans, combining for three hits, six RBI’s and one homer apiece. The Firebirds got those two home runs in the first inning and jumped ahead 7-0 before the end of the second. But Orleans found itself tied 7-7 in the sixth inning, trying to avoid losing to a Brewster team that came back to win 10-8 over Orleans on June 13^th. Instead of another disappointing comeback loss, the Orleans bullpen held Brewster scoreless for the final three innings and the Firebirds walked off with an 8-7 win when Gould was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. Orleans improves to 8-7, and is above .500 for the first time this season after starting 0-4. The Firebirds will appear in the Orleans 4^th of July Parade at 10:00 am on Saturday before traveling to league-leading Chatham for a 7:00 pm contest. Brewster is now 4-8-3, and will host Harwich Saturday at 5:00 pm. In that ninth inning, the Firebirds bats awakened from a six-inning slumber at just the right time. Second baseman Danny Muno (Fresno State) led off the inning with a single to center, and right fielder Alex Hassan (Duke) moved Muno up to third base with a single of his own. Matthews was then intentionally walked, loading the bases with no outs. Brewster manager Tom Myers brought in an outfielder to use a rare five-infielder defense, but Orleans didn’t even put the ball in play to score the game-winning run. After striking out Michael Olt (Connecticut), Brewster reliever Steven Maxwell (TCU) struck Gould with a fastball, forcing Muno home to end the game. Maxwell (1-1) picked up the loss. Brewster starter Casey Schmidt (San Diego) began the bottom of the first with two quick outs and appeared ready for a 1-2-3 inning. Instead, he gave up two two-run home runs, the first to right-center by Matthews and the second to left field by Gould. The second inning was not much better for Schmidt, as the Firebirds plated three more runs when Muno was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Hassan hit a sacrifice fly, and Matthews had another stinging hit for an RBI single. Schmidt was removed after just 1.1 innings, giving up four hits and those seven runs (all earned). Gaynor, meanwhile, continued to roll, pitching five innings and scattering just four hits while striking out nine. Brewster put together four straight singles in the fourth inning to score two runs off the Orleans starter, who came into the game 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA and did not get a decision. It was after Gaynor departed that the Whitecaps mounted their comeback. They scored five runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by a bases-loaded three-run triple by Jarrett Parker (Virginia), who then scored on a John Barr (Virginia) double to tie the game at seven. Orleans needed a steady arm to hold off the Whitecaps comeback, and they got it from Matt Packer (Virginia), who earned the win in his first decision of the season. Packer threw three innings and did not even allow a hit, walking two and keeping the Whitecaps scoreless while striking out five. Matthews finished 2-for-4 with three RBI’s and his second round-tripper of the season, and Gould was 1-for-4 with three RBI’s and his first home run. Hassan was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, and shortstop Devin Lohman finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. Aside from Parker, Harold Martinez (Miami) was the only other offensive standout for Brewster, going 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and a run scored. (Unofficial Box Score)