A lot will be sorted out in the playoff race over the next few days, but most of it will be about seeding and who’s playing whom. Unless Brewster gets hot and chases down Chatham in the East, though, the only battle for a final playoff spot will be in the West, where Bourne and Hyannis are on the hunt.
The way things have gone this year — with neither of those teams able to sustain much — match-ups between the two will have a big say.
Last night’s went to Bourne in decisive fashion.
The Braves rode a great performance by Jaron Long (Ohio State) and their highest-scoring game of the season to a 13-1 victory over Hyannis. Bourne, which has won three in a row, now has a four-point lead on Hyannis, who has lost five straight.
The Braves scored 10 runs in the first three innings and that was more than enough for Long, who turned in his best start of the summer. He struck out nine and allowed four hits in six shutout innings. John Farrell (William & Mary), Patrick Young (Villanova) and Hawtin Buchanan (Ole Miss) each pitched an inning to finish it off.
At the plate, Bourne finished with 21 hits. Jack Reinheimer (East Carolina) went 4-for-5 with an RBI, Colin Moran went 2-for-4 with three RBI and Mike Ahmed (Holy Cross) went 3-for-5 with three runs knocked in. Justin Leeson (Georgetown), Jordan Patterson (South Alabama) and Austin Wynns (Fresno State) added three hits each.
Bourne and Hyannis will play one more time in the regular season — on Sunday at 6 p.m. in Bourne.
Elsewhere
What to Watch
A very busy day ahead, with Hyannis and Harwich each playing split doubleheaders. Sean Manaea (Indiana State) is expected to start for the Harbor Hawks in their second game at Brewster at 4:30 p.m.
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