Whitecaps Bounce Back in Big Way.

By Maxwell Paul McLaughlin
BREWSTER, M.A - Along with celebrating America’s birthday and Joey Chestnut’s 14th hot dog eating contest win. We also had the chance to witness the Whitecaps dominate the Mariners.

The Whitecaps were backed by outstanding pitching and explosive and timely hitting. With the well-balanced attack, the Whitecaps took down the Mariners of Harwich 7-0.

“We looked different today in a good way,” manager Jamie Shevchik said. “We grinded out some at-bats and we became a little more of an exciting ball club today.”

The Whitecaps got the excitement started in the bottom of the second. Dillon Carter (Texas Tech) singled to bring in Jake Thompson (Oklahoma State). It didn't stop, the very next batter Kurtis Byrne (TCU) singled making it 2-0. The Whitecaps then scratched across one more run off a Cooper Weiss (Coastal Carolina) groundout.

In the very next inning, Shawn Goosenburg (Northwestern) who finished three for four on the day singled home a run to make the score 4-0.

After that, the Whitecaps scratched across another run in the bottom of the fourth off of a wild pitch.

In the fifth inning, Goosenburg stepped up once again, doubling home a runner to make it 6-0.

The Whitecaps picked up their final run in the seventh. Dillon Carter (Texas Tech) ripped a double and brought home a run making it 7-0.

Carter was coming off his best offensive game of the year. “It finally felt good to find some grass in the outfield and produce for this team,” Carter said.  Carter had yet to record a hit before his big game. 

Once again on the pitching end, the Rutgers boys stepped up and delivered. Harrison Rutkowski and Brian Fitzpatrick both of Rutgers combined for a complete game shutout and two-hitter.

“They both had a really good plan on how to attack the lineup,” catcher Kurtis Byrne (TCU) said. “They were unbelievably good today and I am excited with our whole pitching staff moving forward.”

The Whitecaps' big key to winning came the day before after a talk with the coaches. 

“The biggest thing that came out of today was the meeting we had yesterday with the guys,” Shevchik said. “It was about taking different approaches at the plate and asking the guys to be willing to make changes and sure enough they listened and came through.”

There wasn't just one player who stuck out for the Whitecaps in the game for the first time all year. It was a consensus team win between the spotless defense, lights-out pitching, and explosive offense.

The Whitecaps now (5-4-2) will look for revenge at Orleans after the embarrassing loss the Firebirds handed the Whitecaps in their last game. The game will be at 7 p.m.