With the eleventh game of the 2010 campaign in the books, the first quarter of the 2010 Cape League season has concluded, and the Anglers find themselves a half-game back of both Brewster and Yarmouth-Dennis in the Eastern Division, despite carrying a 7-3-1 record after a loss Friday night at Harwich. The Mariners picked up their fourth win of the season, and find themselves bringing up the rear in the Eastern Division with a 4-7 record. Friday night's game ended in favor of the home team by a score of 3-1.

Chatham looked to hang on to the division lead coming into the contest and got things rolling with a score in the second. Peter Verdin (Georgia) led off the inning with an infield single. Then on the ensuing at-bat by Aaron Westlake (Vanderbilt), Verdin bluffed off of first, and while retreating to the bag drew a throw to second from catcher Craig Manuel (Rice). Unfortunately no one was there to receive Manuel's throw as both Harwich middle infielders were aware that Verdin would not be attempting to advance. The throw from home skipped into the outfield, and before centerfielder Ronnie Richardson (Central Florida) could retrieve it, Verdin had moved into scoring position at second. Westlake would then drive in the run with an RBI single, and advance to second on the late throw home, giving Chatham the early 1-0 lead. Anglers' starter Aaron Gates (Pepperdine) worked three scoreless innings to kick off his second start of the season, but walked three straight to load the bases after a fly out by left fielder Mikie Mahtook (LSU) to lead off the fourth. A groundout by Manuel brought home a run, tying the score with two men out. A single by Richardson in the next at-bat brought home another run, giving the Mariners a 2-1 lead.

Gates then gave up a leadoff single to shortstop Austin Nola (LSU) in the fifth. After a pair of fly outs he walked the bases loaded, and yielded to reliever Kenny Monteith (Winthrop). Monteith walked the first batter he faced, third baseman Steven Proscia (Virginia), to bring home another run, giving Harwich a 3-1 lead. Chatham would combine for five more hits through the end of the ninth, but couldn't bring another run across, and fell for the third time this season.

Gates was saddled with the loss, his first, after allowing all three runs on three hits with seven walks and two strikeouts. Harwich starter Pierce Johnson (Missouri St.) picked up the win, his second in two starts, after allowing just one unearned run on five hits, striking out seven and walking two through six innings of work. Anglers' reliever Monteith pitched well after walking in the run, finishing the night with five strikeouts and three walks through 3.1 innings of relief.

Chatham remains on the road for the third game of this three-game road trip, heading to Hyannis Saturday night to take on the 5-6 Harbor Hawks. Kevin Berry (New Orleans 1-1) is scheduled to take the mound for the Anglers. He will start opposite Trent Howard (Central Michigan 0-1) for Hyannis with first pitch scheduled for 7pm. Tune in to the broadcast starting with the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 6:40pm by heading over to chathamanglers.com, or by dialing in to the TRZ Teamline at 1-800-846-4700 and entering the team code 3841.

Box Score

www.flickr.com Chatham Anglers' Game 11 at Harwich, 6/25/10 photoset