The Anglers lost their fifth game in a row on Sunday night, losing 4-2 to the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Chatham (15-16) managed only five hits and committed two errors in a strange baseball game preceded by a wild goose flying into the home plate netting at McKeon Park.

"There's not much to say," said manager John Schiffner. "We didn't execute as well as we could have. We need some more clutch hits. Our overall performance was a little disappointing and the guys have to take some ownership now. We need everybody to step up and we need to do the little things because we're so wounded."

Box Score

Game 31: Hyannis 4, Chatham 2

Franklin Pierce's Ryan Thompson (1-1, 2.31 ERA) suffered the loss for Chatham, allowing three earned runs in five and two thirds innings and striking out three batters. With his slurve baffling hitters and his fastball working on both sides of the plate, the junior was once again a victim of poor run support.

"Ryan threw very well tonight," said Schiffner. "He looked fine out there. We didn't get him enough runs. Ryan deserved to win tonight with the way he pitched."

After Thompson left the game, North Carolina's Tate Parrish (1-3, 3.60 ERA) and High Point's Jamie Schultz (1-0, 3.14 ERA) combined for two and a third innings of scoreless relief and struck out four batters.

"Our bullpen did a good job," said Schiffner. "Tate came in and did his job and Jamie was outstanding."

New Mexico's Josh Walker (2-0, 1.69 ERA) earned the win for the Hawks (13-18), surrendering two runs on six hits in six innings. The Harbor Hawk bullpen threw three scoreless innings and did not allow a single hit during that stretch. Kentucky's Walter Wijas (1-0, 1.15 ERA) threw a scoreless ninth inning for his first save of the season.

The Anglers were carried at the dish by first baseman Alex Calbick (Maine) who hit a solo home run in the second inning and designated hitter Dale Carey (Miami) who hit an RBI single in the fifth. Another key contributor for Chatham was Boston College left fielder Tom Bourdon, who went 1 for 3 with a double to start the fifth inning. Although the two outfielders had their difficulties at the plate to begin the season, both Bourdon and Carey have stood tall in the batter's box of late and the results are showing up in the box score.

"Tommy is getting better out there every day," said Schiffner. "He's taking better swings and getting into the games more. Dale is another guy who has been stepping up lately. We have to get more guys cranked up. If we can do that, we could go on a roll."

Hyannis was paced by designated hitter Pat Fortunato (Rhode Island), who went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI. The Hawks other runs came from an RBI fielder's choice by shortstop Brandon Trinkwon (UC Santa Barbara) and an RBI single by first baseman Brad Zebedis (Presbyterian).

"Hyannis is a team that started the season horribly, and now they are on a tear," said Schiffner. "They came out and played very well tonight."

While Chatham's offensive output on Sunday did not yield a ton of highlights, the Anglers made some great defensive plays. Bourdon was able to turn in an outfield assist in the second inning after gunning down Stanford center fielder Dominic Jose at second base following a single. Maine second baseman Mike Fransoso also turned in a key play in the bottom of the sixth inning, diving to his right to save a base hit up the middle and leaping up to throw out a potential run at the plate to end the inning.

"What a play by Fransoso," said Schiffner. "That was a big league play right there. Just fabulous defense."

Despite the five-game losing streak, Schiffner remains highly optimistic about his team's chances to make the playoffs.

"We're right there," he said. "We need to get Andrew Knapp back in the lineup and we need a couple of other guys to step up and I think we'll be fine."

Chatham will return to Veterans Field on Monday night to take on the Orleans Firebirds (18-13) at 7 p.m. With a strong hold on first place to begin the season, the Firebirds have come back down to earth lately and have taken a back seat to the Harwich Mariners.

"I think everybody in the East is pretty much the same right now," said Schiffner. "Most of these teams can be beaten regularly. I think Harwich is starting to show that they are the best team in the league. The Mariners are just a cut above everyone else right now."

Tune into the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. for live coverage with broadcasters Chris Fitzgerald and Brandon Liebhaber at TRZ Teamline or call 1-800-846-4700, code 3841.