Last summer, Chatham started the season 9-1 . . . then went 12-22 the rest of the way. Whether it was a case of everyone catching up to them, or the team just not playing well, the season was a struggle.
Four days into the 2010 season, the Anglers are off to a 3-0 start. And the way they’re doing it this time makes me think they’ve got a chance to keep it going.
Take a look at their box scores. The first five spots in Chatham’s order have been the same every time out, which is pretty unusual at the start of a Cape League season. And the players in those spots make that stability a very good thing — and the thing that could define this team.
Brian Humphries (Pepperdine) and Peter Verdin (Georgia) are getting on base in front of a middle of the order that’s shaping up to be the best in the league. Mark Ginther (Oklahoma State) is hitting .461, Ricky Oropesa (USC) is hitting .286 and Dan Paolini (Siena) is checking in at .357. Together, that trio has combined for eight extra-base hits and has driven in 11 of the team’s 14 runs. They all had strong to very strong college seasons, and they’re starting exactly like Chatham hoped. The three of them have more extra-base hits than eight Cape League teams, significantly more in some cases. Pretty amazing.
On Wednesday, it was more of the same. Hosting Orleans, the Anglers rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the ninth to tie the game on a Paolini RBI single. In the 13th inning, Oropesa smashed a three-run walk-off home run to give Chatham the victory.
Combined, the trio of Ginther, Paolini and Oropesa went 7-for-15 with four RBI against the Firebirds. That kind of production in a pitchers’ league is going to give your team a chance, no matter what else happens. The Anglers have also pitched well, and they’ve shown a knack for winning close games. They’ll need to keep doing that.
But the middle of the order is the foundation — and the best news is that it might be sticking around for a while. While several teams may have to say goodbye to their top sluggers, none of Chatham’s big three have been invited to Team USA trials. That could still change, but for now, they’ll be slugging for Chatham.
And setting the stage for big things.
Elsewhere
What to Watch
Just one game on tap tonight as Brewster visits Y-D. Austin Lubinsky (Minnesota) goes for Brewster against Scott Snodgress (Stanford). It’ll be the first start for each.