By: Alec Henden

ORLEANS, Mass. – The atmosphere surrounding the Fourth of July holiday in Orleans was palpable. It began with a tremendous parade around the small Cape town with many smiling patriotic faces.

As the day turned to night, the mood intensified as the Cape’s best rivalry readied for the second edition of the 2019 season. Unfortunately for the hometown Birds, it was a tough loss that saw them almost erase a seven-run deficit with only six outs remaining.

Similar to Thursday night at Veteran’s Field, the Firebirds dropped an 8-7 ballgame to the rival Chatham Anglers.

“I love the way our guys compete,” Orleans manager Kelly Nicholson said. “Even though we came up a little bit short, I think a lot of other teams would have rolled over and let that thing finish 8-1, 8-2, and we ended up a swing away from winning that thing.”

The Birds (11-6-2) took an early 1-0 lead on an RBI-knock from designated hitter Matt Goodheart (Arkansas) exciting the 3,645 in attendance perched on the hill along the first base line.

Orleans starter Mike Vasil (Virginia) struggled with his command and gave up some hard-hit balls, allowing six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-hander excelled through his first two innings but ran into trouble in the third.  

Chatham’s third baseman Kaden Polcovich (Oklahoma State) put the Anglers on the board with a long two-run home run to right field. Shortstop Ben Ramirez (USC) added two more with a base hit that just alluded the glove of Firebirds' second baseman Josh Zamora (Nevada).

“It came down to just executing pitches when I needed to and I didn’t do that tonight,” Vasil said. “Everyone in their lineup is a very pure hitter and any chance they get ahead in the count they’re going to capitalize on it.”

A furious comeback began with the help of a patient approach at the plate. Chatham reliever Luke Bartnicki (Georgia Tech) was beginning to tire as he worked deeper into his outing. With the Anglers facing four games in the next three days, they hoped to ride the arms of only two pitchers to complete the victory. Bartnicki’s command faltered as he walked seven total batters to present the Birds with another comeback opportunity.

Firebirds outfielder Zach Daniels (Tennessee) came into the game in the seventh inning to pinch-hit and would have a major impact on the game’s conclusion. With the bases loaded in the eighth and his team down by five runs. He drove a high fly ball to left field that got the whole ballpark on their feet, just to have it land in Chatham’s Jamal O’Guinn’s (USC) glove at the wall.

Daniels had one final shot with the tying run on third and the winning run on first against the newly entered Anglers’ reliever Jorge Arenas (Stetson). The battle ended with Daniels taking a perfectly placed fastball on the outside edge, ending the comeback in heartbreaking fashion.

“The offense competed all the way down to the final strike and there’s not much more you can ask them to do,” Nicholson said.

Orleans leading hitter, outfielder Max Troiani (Bentley) was given the pitch-around treatment as he’s emerged as one of the more potent Cape League bats. Troiani has walked five times in the last three games, raising his on-base percentage to .411.

“I think it’s a great step for me as far as shaping my approach,” Troiani said. “Being able to lay off pitches that I don’t think I can drive is something I’ve been working on since coming here.”

The Firebirds now head back on the road to take on the Wareham Gatemen. Orleans most recently swept Wareham in a doubleheader at Eldredge Park, throwing back-to-back shutouts to earn the sweep.

Short Hops:

- The Firebirds are now 0-4 against fellow top East Division teams Yarmouth-Dennis and Chatham. Orleans will face off with Y-D in a home-and-home series beginning Saturday.

- Following Thursday’s action, the Birds dropped to second place in the East Division with the Red Sox and Anglers now tied for first, one point ahead of Orleans.

- Owen Sharts (Nevada) will get the start for the Firebirds in Wareham. Sharts has been impressive through three appearances, sporting a 0.84 ERA.