Whitecaps fall to Firebirds in Season Opener

Sean Guenther fired five innings of one-run ball for the Firebirds as Orleans defeated Brewster 9-4 in the season-opener at Stony Brook Field in Brewster, Mass.
 
The Whitecaps could only manage two hits off Guenther, who allowed one earned run and struck out 4 on the night. The few bright spots offensively for the Whitecaps came in the first, eighth and the Whitecaps managed a three-run rally in the bottom half of the 9th. Matt Davis led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to left to put the Whitecaps in front 1-0.
 
Guenther held the Whitecaps scoreless for the next four innings. The firebirds were unable to muster much offense off Brewster starting pitcher Chris Falwell until they tallied four runs in the top of the 6th inning and jumped out to a 6-1 lead. 
 
Riley Adams opened the inning for the Firebirds and ripped a single down the right field line and Payton Squier reached on an error. Joe Baker then sent an RBI double to deep left to plate two runs to give the Firebirds lead 5-1 in the 6th.
 
Erick Martinez took over for Falwell, allowing two inherited runners to score and making the score 7-1 Orleans. The Firebirds extended their lead to 9-1 in the top half of the 8th as Riley Mahan sent a double to left, Keegan McGovern worked a walk, Logan Sowers drove an RBI double to left and Riley Adams beat out an infield single to give the Firebirds a 9-1 lead.
 
The Firebirds relievers kept the Whitecaps to one run until the bottom of the 8th, when Kekai Rios led off with a single to left and Colby Maiola ripped a ball deep to left, scoring Rios to make it 9-2, yet was thrown out trying to extend a double into a triple.
 
The Whitecaps managed a brief rally in the bottom half of the 9th inning. Zach Gahagen worked a one-out walk and Ryan Noda belted a 2-run homer to center field to make the score 9-4. Maiola flew out to left field to make the final score 9-4.
 
The Whitecaps return to action tomorrow, June 11 as they take on the Cotuit, Kettlers at Lowell Park at 5 p.m.