By: Alec Henden

FALMOUTH, Mass. – Orleans Firebirds manager Kelly Nicholson has said repeatedly that if an opposing team is going to make mistakes it’s vital to take advantage.

Through the first five innings of play, the Firebirds had no opportunities. 15 of the first 16 batters failed to reach base as the team looked lost at the plate.

Falmouth’s starter Carmen Mlodzinski (South Carolina) dominated through five no-hit innings. Mlodzinski effectively used his fastball inside and put hitters away with a slider low and away that Orleans’ hitters couldn’t lay off.

“His velocity was good and he kept the ball down with a good breaking ball,” Nicholson said. “We’re going to see more guys like that this season.”

Once Mlodzinski left the ballgame, Orleans went to work by taking advantage of the Falmouth miscues. The Birds hit around in the inning, scoring three times by working three walks, a hit by pitch, one base hit, a throwing error and two wild pitches from both Commodore relievers Justin Wrobleski (Clemson) and Logan Hoffmann (Northwestern State). The opportunity was presented and the Birds put the game away en route to the 3-1 victory over the Falmouth Commodores at Guv Fuller Field.

“We came away with three runs on only one hit,” Nicholson said. “It’s important in this league that you can’t give teams extra outs. I’ve been up here too long to know that this will bite you in the rear end.”

Part of the run of success for Orleans (10-4-2) has been they’ve played fundamentally sound baseball by not beating themselves, and putting teams away once they have the lead.

“I’m really proud of the way we pitched tonight,” Nicholson said. “We played good defense, ran the bases well and it ended with a good result.”

Firebird catcher David Avitia (Grand Canyon) began the rally in the sixth by working a leadoff walk and eventually scoring on Wrobleski's wild pitch. Avitia is known for his stellar defensive work behind the plate but contributed offensively by going 1-for-3 with a walk and scoring the game’s first tally.

“I was just looking for a pitch low in the zone because I can hit pitches low in the zone better,” Avitia said. “I was just trying to get on base for my team.”

Orleans starter Noah Skirrow (Liberty) was once again on his game, throwing five scoreless innings while also striking out nine Commodore hitters. Skirrow escaped a pair of jams throughout his outing but made clutch pitches to keep the Commodores (5-7-1) off the board.

“His fastball velo was good, and his curveball was amazing,” Avitia said. “He was really spotting up his stuff.”

“Everything is just clicking on all cylinders,” Avitia said. “Our hitting is getting there, the pitching has always been there and we’re taking advantage of everything the other team is giving us.”

After the trying 2018 season that saw the Birds miss the postseason, the team has used their pitching to get back to the winning ways that fans have become accustomed to. It’s not much different for the man in charge.

“It all starts on the mound,” Nicholson said. “Our pitching has been good and I think it all started with those two games against Wareham. Those guys went out and threw 14 scoreless against a very good team.”

Orleans now returns home for its first Eldredge Park meeting with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. The Birds won the first matchup on the season 4-0 at McKeon Field behind a great pitching performance from Adam Seminaris (Long Beach State) and Andrew Abbott (Virginia).

Short Hops:

-Orleans leads the Cape League in ERA (2.52), WHIP (1.06), batting average against (.208), shutouts (5) and fewest home runs allowed (3).

-The Firebirds will send Austin Love (North Carolina) to the mound for tomorrow’s meeting with Hyannis. It will be Love’s first start for the Birds.

-Tonight’s victory marks the fourth consecutive win for Orleans and seventh consecutive game with the point. The team’s last four-game winning streak was in July 2017.