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Anglers on Losing End of Pitchers Duel, Controversial Call against Hyannis
by Chris Jones
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
The Chatham Anglers (23-10-1) were on the losing end of a pitchers duel, and a controversial call at the end of the game, as they fell to the Hyannis Harbor Hawks in walk-off fashion 1-0.
"That is a Cape League game for you." Manager John Schiffner said. "Unfortunately we were on the losing end tonight, but I am not worried about it."
It was the definition of a pitchers duel at Mckeon Park on Wednesday night, as both teams pitching staffs had the opposing offenses stymied, and the game went into the ninth deadlocked at zero
Hyannis Jeff Hoffman (East Carolina), touted as one of the top prospects in the Cape League, proved why, shutting out the red-hot Chatham offense. Over seven innings, Hoffman only allowed four hits, one walk, and struck out 10 Anglers.
"He (Hoffman) was good, we really could not do much against him," Schiffner said. "Have to tip your cap to him."
While the scouts were there to watch Hoffman, Chatham right-hander Tommy Lawrence (Maine) matched Hoffman pitch-for-pitch, shutting out the Harbor Hawks over six innings, only allowing three hits and striking out four.
Against the highly touted Hoffman, Lawrence held his own.
photo by Graham Harboe/Chatham Anglers
Tommy Lawrence (Maine) threw six shutout innings, but did not
record a win, as Chatham fell to Hyannis 1-0
"My breaking stuff was working for me again, but I also threw a lot of fastballs," Lawrence said. "I just wanted to go out there, pitch well, and hold my own, which I did."
Lawrence now holds an astounding 0.77 ERA with only one walk and two runs in 23.1 innings pitched this season.
The game seemed destined for extra innings, as neither team could breakthrough and get a run on the scoreboard. J.D Davis (Cal State Fullerton) had one quick out in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Hyannis left-fielder Tyler Spoon (Arkansas) hit a fly ball down the right-field line.
The ball landed out of the reach of a diving Josh Eldridge (Old Dominion), but appeared to land in foul territory. The umpire called the ball fair, and Spoon was off to the races. Spoon arrived at third base, but the errant cut-off throw from second-baseman Dante Flores (USC) got past third-baseman Mitchell Gunsolus (Gonzaga), allowing Spoon to score the winning run.
"It was a bad break for us, and a lucky break for them," Schiffner said. "We made two bad plays which decided the game, but we will be fine."
The Anglers have had four walk-off wins on the season, but this is the second time in 2013 that the Anglers have been on the losing end of some late inning magic.
Runners left on base doomed the Anglers, as they threatened a lot, but could not cash in, as they finished the game stranding 9 men on base.
"We left a lot of guys on the field tonight," Schiffner said. "That is not going to help you win a lot of games."
The Anglers struck out a season-high 16 times on the night, but Connor Joe (San Diego) collected three of Chatham's seven total hits.
The Chatham bullpen continued to be dominant, as Chad Sobotka (SC-Upstate) pitched a scoreless seventh inning, and Kyle Funkhouser (Louisville) was dominant in the eighth inning, striking out the side.
The Anglers will look to bounce back tomorrow as they return home to Veterans Field to take on the Bourne Braves.
First pitch at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on FOX College Sports. To find FCS in your area, got to http://fcs.channelfinder.net/start.asp. There will be no live audio or video stream, but we will record a broadcast for later use. Highlights will be posted after the game.
Chris Jones is the Beat Writer and Social Media Manager for the Chatham Anglers. Follow him on twitter at @Chrisjones_UO, and follow the Chatham Anglers at @ChathamAnglers."
"That is a Cape League game for you." Manager John Schiffner said. "Unfortunately we were on the losing end tonight, but I am not worried about it."
It was the definition of a pitchers duel at Mckeon Park on Wednesday night, as both teams pitching staffs had the opposing offenses stymied, and the game went into the ninth deadlocked at zero
Hyannis Jeff Hoffman (East Carolina), touted as one of the top prospects in the Cape League, proved why, shutting out the red-hot Chatham offense. Over seven innings, Hoffman only allowed four hits, one walk, and struck out 10 Anglers.
Box Score
Game 34: Chatham 0, Hyannis 1"He (Hoffman) was good, we really could not do much against him," Schiffner said. "Have to tip your cap to him."
While the scouts were there to watch Hoffman, Chatham right-hander Tommy Lawrence (Maine) matched Hoffman pitch-for-pitch, shutting out the Harbor Hawks over six innings, only allowing three hits and striking out four.
Against the highly touted Hoffman, Lawrence held his own.
photo by Graham Harboe/Chatham Anglers
Tommy Lawrence (Maine) threw six shutout innings, but did not
record a win, as Chatham fell to Hyannis 1-0
"My breaking stuff was working for me again, but I also threw a lot of fastballs," Lawrence said. "I just wanted to go out there, pitch well, and hold my own, which I did."
Lawrence now holds an astounding 0.77 ERA with only one walk and two runs in 23.1 innings pitched this season.
The game seemed destined for extra innings, as neither team could breakthrough and get a run on the scoreboard. J.D Davis (Cal State Fullerton) had one quick out in the bottom of the ninth inning, when Hyannis left-fielder Tyler Spoon (Arkansas) hit a fly ball down the right-field line.
The ball landed out of the reach of a diving Josh Eldridge (Old Dominion), but appeared to land in foul territory. The umpire called the ball fair, and Spoon was off to the races. Spoon arrived at third base, but the errant cut-off throw from second-baseman Dante Flores (USC) got past third-baseman Mitchell Gunsolus (Gonzaga), allowing Spoon to score the winning run.
"It was a bad break for us, and a lucky break for them," Schiffner said. "We made two bad plays which decided the game, but we will be fine."
The Anglers have had four walk-off wins on the season, but this is the second time in 2013 that the Anglers have been on the losing end of some late inning magic.
Runners left on base doomed the Anglers, as they threatened a lot, but could not cash in, as they finished the game stranding 9 men on base.
"We left a lot of guys on the field tonight," Schiffner said. "That is not going to help you win a lot of games."
The Anglers struck out a season-high 16 times on the night, but Connor Joe (San Diego) collected three of Chatham's seven total hits.
The Chatham bullpen continued to be dominant, as Chad Sobotka (SC-Upstate) pitched a scoreless seventh inning, and Kyle Funkhouser (Louisville) was dominant in the eighth inning, striking out the side.
The Anglers will look to bounce back tomorrow as they return home to Veterans Field to take on the Bourne Braves.
First pitch at 7 p.m. The game will be televised on FOX College Sports. To find FCS in your area, got to http://fcs.channelfinder.net/start.asp. There will be no live audio or video stream, but we will record a broadcast for later use. Highlights will be posted after the game.
Chris Jones is the Beat Writer and Social Media Manager for the Chatham Anglers. Follow him on twitter at @Chrisjones_UO, and follow the Chatham Anglers at @ChathamAnglers."
