Harwich Shuts Down Chatham 7-3

by George Barclay, 07-21-2012

Chatham dropped its fourth game in a row on Saturday night, losing 7-3 to the Harwich Mariners. In a game that was tied at two heading into the top of the sixth inning, the Anglers (15-15) tallied five hits, left seven men on base and struck out 11 times.

"We were flat," said manager John Schiffner. "We didn't give ourselves any breaks out there. Our guys competed hard all the way until the final out, which I'm proud of them for. Offensively, we were just a couple of hits shy of what we wanted to do. We're in a funk right now and hopefully we can play our way out of it. "

Box Score

Game 30: Harwich 7, Chatham 3

Maine's Tommy Lawrence (2-1, 3.20 ERA) suffered the loss for the Anglers, allowing five earned runs on nine hits in five and a third innings while striking out five batters. Three of Harwich's five runs against Lawrence came on a three-run home run by second baseman Tyler Sciacca (Villanova) in the top of the sixth inning.

"Tommy threw well tonight," said Schiffner. "He did a nice job out there. He made one mistake against Harwich and that did him in. There's not a lot of room for error against Harwich. Their entire lineup is dangerous with all that power. You really have to be careful."

The Anglers used three pitchers following Lawrence's departure. Louisville's Dace Kime (0-0, 7.11 ERA) gave up one earned run on one hit and struck out two in one inning of relief, Florida Gulf Coast's Ryan Atwood (0-1, 2.35 ERA) struck out three and walked two in one and two thirds innings and Southern New Hampshire's Alex Powers (0-0, 1.13 ERA) fanned two in one inning of work.

"Our bullpen did a good job," said Schiffner. "They've really been helping us for the entire season. Dace was a little shaky tonight, but I thought Ryan came in and performed well and I thought Powers looked great."

Virginia Tech's Eddie Campbell (3-0, 4.15 ERA) earned the win for the Mariners (20-11), surrendering two earned runs on four hits in five innings. Campbell received plenty of help from his bullpen on Saturday with Samford's CK Irby (1-3, 2.46 ERA), allowing an unearned run on one hit in three and a third innings to go with six strikeouts and Missouri State's Tyler Burgess (0-0, 2.92 ERA) earning his first save of the season for Harwich, striking out one batter in two thirds of an inning.

Chatham's runs came on an RBI groundout by second baseman Mike Fransoso (Maine), an RBI single by shortstop Pat Valaika (UCLA) and an RBI single by right fielder Dale Carey (Miami). In addition to going 2 for 4, Valaika turned in another stellar defensive performance at shortstop, making a running bare-handed play to first look like a routine ground ball.

"Pat is one of our better players," said Schiffner. "He's one of the more underrated guys in the league. Tonight Pat showed up and played like the good player that he is."

Harwich was led at the dish by second baseman Tyler Sciacca (Villanova) who went 1 for 4 with 3 RBI and a home run. Catcher Mike Connolly (Maine) also had a good game for the Mariners, going 2 for 4 with an RBI single.

On Sunday evening, the Anglers will be back on the road to take on the Hyannis Harbor Hawks (12-18) at 7 p.m. In three games against the Hawks this summer, Chatham has a record of 2-1.

"We're going to go to Hyannis for the last time this season tomorrow," said Schiffner. "No matter who it is, it's another game and we have to forget about tonight and go get tomorrow's game."

For the first time this season, Chatham will be wearing the trademark grey shirts in hope of ending a four-game losing streak.

"I heard that the grey is coming back," said a smiling Schiffner. "I like what our starter Ryan Thompson is doing by changing the uniforms up. Good for him."

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

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