Kevin Newman (Arizona) went 0-for-4 for just the third time this season on August 1. His batting average slipped to .357, hitting a mark below .360 for the first time since June 18. Had it stayed there and had everything else proceeded as it did, Newman would not have made history.
But come on, you didn’t really expect him to go 0-for-4 again, did you?
The reigning Cape League batting champ became the first player in league history to win two batting titles in a row when he followed up his 0-for-4 night with a 3-for-4 game on Monday and a 2-for-2 performance in Tuesday’s season finale.
As we wrote last week, Newman has gone three games without a hit just once in his two-year Cape League career. Now was not the time to do it again. Bourne’s Richard Martin Jr. (Florida) was suddenly hot on his heels, going 4-for-4 and 2-for-3 in his final two games to raise his average to .364.
But thanks to Newman’s surge, it remained second-best.
The 3-for-4 night on Monday set the table as Newman pushed his average up .013 points. With his team’s playoff spot already clinched, he could have left it right there and celebrated the title, but Newman started Monday’s game anyway. He singled in the first inning and singled in the third before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the fourth.
After the game Newman tweeted his thoughts: “People truly underestimate the fact that the hitters around me set the table and as much of an individual award this batting title is…my teammates are just as responsible. I’m very excited and honored to be apart of the @FalCommodores.”
A batting title is pretty far on the individual side, but Newman has played alongside a lot of very good hitters in his two seasons, and you have to admire a guy who recognizes that.
Congrats to Kevin.
Falmouth 10, Cotuit 9
In addition to Newman’s feat, the Commodores had a walk-off win to celebrate on the final night of the regular season. After Cotuit had taken a 9-7 lead in the top of the 10th, Falmouth scored three runs to win it in the bottom half. Shaun Chase (Oregon) knocked in a run with a single, and the tying run came home on a fielder’s choice by Austin Afenir (Oral Roberts). Boomer White (TCU) then smacked a walk-off RBI single to give Falmouth the win. Conor Costello (Oklahoma State) led the Commodore offense with a homer and three RBI, while Afenir had two RBI. Both teams used seven pitchers as they keep everybody fresh for the playoffs.
Bourne 5, Wareham 1
Bourne continued adding on to its franchise record for wins, with victory No. 28 in the season finale. Five pitchers combined to limit the Gatemen to just a run, while Mark Laird (LSU) and Blake Allemand (Texas A&M) had two hits and an RBI each. Richard Martin Jr. (Florida) went 2-for-3. Bourne will hit the playoffs on a four-game winning streak. The game marked the end of the line for Wareham, which finished 14-28-2.
What to Watch
Yesterday’s make-up games means no full off day for the league as the playoffs begin immediately, with all four opening-round series starting tonight. The schedule:
Cotuit at Bourne, 6 p.m.
Hyannis at Falmouth, 6:30 p.m.
Y-D at Orleans, 7 p.m.
Brewster at Harwich, 7 p.m.