Whitecaps Takedown Wareham

By Maxwell Paul McLaughlin
BREWSTER, M.A. - It started rough, but the Whitecaps offense shined through to beat the Gatemen of Wareham.

When Wareham went up 3-0 early on the Whitecaps, you could hear a pin drop at Stony Brook Field. The Whitecaps offense answered. They scored five runs in the fourth and three runs in the fifth, and went on to win 8-4.

“We are starting to gel, with the older guys and younger guys,” Whitecaps manager Jamie Shevchik said. “If you notice there's no panic we can be down three and that's alright.”

Wareham struck first, scoring three runs in the top of the third.

It was all Whitecaps from there on out.

The Whitecaps came alive in the fourth scoring five runs. The first run came off a Spencer Jones (Vanderbilt) single. Then with the bases loaded Alex Freeland (UCF) hit into a fielder's choice to score another run.

In the very next at-bat, Spencer Jones scored off a wild pitch. That tied the game at three.

Then with two outs Mac Bingham (Arizona) singled to give the Whitecaps the lead.

The final run of the inning came off the bat of Jake Thompson (Oklahoma State). He hit a ground-rule double that scored a run, making the score 5-3.

The Whitecaps didn't stop there. They were able to pick up three more runs in the fifth.

With the bases loaded and one out, Nick Biddison (Virginia Tech) drew a walk to make the game 6-3. Mac Bingham then stepped up again and this time doubled, scoring two runs. 

“You just have to trust all the work you put in,” Bingham said. "I've been coming in early with guys before the games and trying stuff, as well as putting in a lot of work.”

Wareham would threaten in the seventh by loading the bases but would only get one run.

Mason Barnett made his last start of the summer for the Whitecaps. He went five innings, had five strikeouts, and allowed three runs.

“Masons is an awesome kid and great competitor,” Shevchik said. “Anytime you get someone from Auburn you know they are going to be hard workers and know-how to compete.”

Hunter Owen (Vanderbilt) and Sam Bello (Rutgers) came in relief. They combined for four strikeouts in four innings.

The Whitecaps have now won three straight. The Whitecaps have also been sitting in first place for more than a week.

“ We don't even talk about being in first, we limit our meetings and just let these guys play,” Shevchik said.

The Whitecaps now (13-7-2) will be home again tomorrow against Cotuit, at 5 p.m.