Playoff bound Gatemen still battling for position

Playoff position still to be decided
Jul 31, 2019

It is coming down to the wire for the returning Cape Cod Baseball League 2018 Champions. The Wareham Gatemen are in the 2019 playoffs, but in what position is still up in the air.

After back-to-back losses to Falmouth on Wednesday, July 24, and Cotuit on Friday, July 26, the Gatemen looked for a sweep against the Hyannis Harborhawks in a three-game series over the weekend. It was not to be.

The Gatemen offense and great pitching did not disappoint the Wareham home fans on Saturday, when the team cruised to a 9-1 victory. After the game, the fans were treated to the second of two autograph nights where children and adults were able to meet and get autographs from their favorite players.

Looking to clinch second place in the West, the Gatemen headed into a double header against Hyannis on Sunday. They earned a 7-1 victory in the early game and jumped ahead to a 3-0 lead in the second game. Alas, Gatemen relief pitching was not able to hold on, giving up 2 home runs in the sixth inning, one of them a 2-run shot. The game ended in a 3-3 tie in 7 innings.

Monday night brought about a critical game against Cotuit at home. The Gatemen once again did not disappoint the home fans, dropping the Kettleers by a score of 7-2, putting the Wareham team back up by 4 points in the West.
A win or a tie was all that was needed on a rare daytime game in Bourne on Tuesday. However, the offense-filled game ended in a 14-6 loss to the Braves.

As of press time, the Gatemen are 4 points up on the Cotuit Kettleers for the second spot in the West Division. Both teams have spots in the post season but are jockeying for position which, among other things, will determine the location of playoff games. Both teams have two games left to play, which brings up the possibility of a tie for second place.

The explanation is complicated but, should that happen, the tie breaker would go to the Kettleers with the playoffs beginning Friday, August 2, in Cotuit. One Gatemen win (or tie) or one Cotuit loss in one of their final two games would solidify second place for the Gatemen, and more importantly, home field advantage, beginning Friday for the first round of the playoffs.

Fans are reminded that the playoffs in the Cape League last a little over one week with the championship team to be decided on or before August 10.

For game-by-game updates, visit www.WarehamWeekToday.com.