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Orleans 3B Chase d'Arnaud (Pepperdine) hit his first home run of the year and drove in the only Cardinals run in the 1-0 win.

D'Arnaud's Home Run Is All Cardinals Need

Great pitching along with solid defense and a big home run from Chase d'Arnaud brings Orleans their third win of the year

June 20, 2007

By: Brett Brecheisen - Orleans Cardinals Intern

Orleans, Massachusetts – Great defense mixed with solid pitching and a home run here and there is usually a winning formula in the Cape Cod League.  The Cardinals found a little bit of everything tonight.

3B Chase d’Arnaud (Pepperdine) ripped a double off of the left field fence last night for his first hit of the season; but, that hit just wasn’t good enough for him.  As a result, he went out and homered in his first at bat of the game.

With the count at two balls and no strikes, d’Arnaud hit a pitch around the same spot he hit that double yesterday.  This time, however, the left fielder didn’t run after it.  Instead, he turned and watched it go well beyond the fence.

“I was at 2-0 and it’s an aggressive count for me as a hitter so I just took advantage of the pitch that was thrown and it was a fastball down the middle and I just smashed it,” d’Arnaud said.  “I feel like my swing is starting to come together.  I’ve made some adjustments and I’m doing a lot better on a consistent basis,” he added.

It didn’t take long for Wareham to threaten the 1-0 score.  With Orleans starter RHP Michael Schwimer (Virginia) struggling with his control, the Gatemen drew two walks to start the third inning.  A wild pitch sent leadoff man CF Diallo Fon (Arizona) to third and Wareham was threatening to get at least one, if not more runs.  That’s when a great defensive play by Schwimer and the Cardinals infield saved the inning.

A come-backer by Wareham LF Blake Dean (LSU) was stopped by Schwimer.  After looking back the speedy Fon at third, he threw the ball to second to start a 1-6-3 double play that not only got two outs, but was quick enough to keep Fon right where he started and a Gatemen run off the board.  A walk and a fly ball later got Schwimer out of the inning without any harm.

Schwimer finished the game throwing five strong innings, striking out eight Wareham batters and not allowing a run.  RHP Kyle Kamppi (Ga. Southern) entered the game in the sixth and his defense wasted no time helping him out.  Dean was the first Wareham batter to face Kamppi and he hit a deep fly ball to right.  RF Dennis Raben (Miami, FL) made a great catch as he ran into the fence and held onto the ball to prevent a certain extra base hit.

“I think when they had first and third and we turned that double play it really took the wind out of their sails and brought the momentum to our dugout. Raben is really a good outfielder out there.  He made a heck of a play,” Field Manager Kelly Nicholson said.

The Gatemen threatened again in the eighth inning as Fon got on base to lead off the inning again, this time with a single to center.  A sacrifice bunt and an infield single sent Fon to third, but Cardinals RHP Ryan Perry (Arizona) struck out RF Russ Moldenhauer (Texas) and C Josh Phegley (Indiana) flew out to right to stop another Gatemen rally short.

The Cardinals win puts them at 3-3 on the season.  They have an off day Thursday but will be back on the field Friday night at Brewster.  RHP Brad Boxberger (USC) is scheduled to make his second start of the season.  He started the season opener against the Whitecaps and went five shutout innings in a 1-0 win for Orleans.

W – Michael Schwimer (Virginia), 1-0

L – Wade Miley (SE Louisiana), 0-1

SV – Ryan Perry (Arizona), 1