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July 24, 2021 9:41 pm | by GatemenNews
By Owen Sughrue
After returning from Team USA, Paul Skenes (United States Air Force Academy) got the start on the mound for the Gatemen on Wareham’s road trip to visit the Orleans Firebirds. After Skenes faced just three batters in the first inning, the Firebirds got on the board first in the bottom of the second off of a solo home run from Tyler Locklear (Virginia Tech). After 2, the Firebirds led 1-0.
The Gatemen scored their first run of the night off of a sacrifice fly from Owen Diodati (Alabama) that scored Tres Gonzalez (Georgia Tech) who drew a walk earlier in the inning. For the Firebirds, an RBI single from Cory Acton (Florida) scored Luke Keaschall (University of San Fransisco) in the bottom of the third put Orleans on top 2-1.
In the top of the fourth inning, Kellum Clark (Mississippi State) singled to lead off the inning for the Gatemen. Over the course of Jack Brannigan’s (Notre Dame) at bat, Clark advanced to second off of a balk and then to third off of a wild pitch. In the next at bat for the Gatemen, an RBI ground out from catcher Anthony Frechette (George Washington) scored Clark. An RBI single from Kade Kern (Ohio State) scored Brannigan later in the inning. The Gatemen led 3-2 after 4 innings.
In the top of the seventh, Owen Diodati singled in Wareham’s third at bat of the inning. With Diodati on first, the next batter for the Gatemen, Kamren James (Mississippi State), continued his recent success at the plate with his first home run of the season—a 2-run home run that put the Gatemen on top 6-2. On the mound, Garrett Schmeltz (Lousiville) followed Skenes and threw 4 scoreless from the fourth to the seventh inning, earning the win for the night.
A late charge from the Firebirds came when Chase DeLauter (James Madison) hit a 2-run home run that cut the Gatemen lead to 2. But a strikeout from Eli Saul (Sacramento State) sealed the win for the Gatemen. The Gatemen move to 10-14-4 on the season and are back in action at home tomorrow. They will take on the Cotuit Kettleers (12-15) at Spillane Field at at 6:30.
