By: Alec Henden

CHATHAM, Mass. – Orleans and Chatham are as intertwined as any two Cape Cod towns can be. They’re the two furthest east geographical towns with teams, and feature rabid fan bases that fill their Rockwellian stadiums.

It took until July 3 for the two teams to play in 2019 due to weather and scheduling, with the Anglers winning the first three contests in close affairs with Firebird comeback attempts falling short.

Unfortunately for the Orleans faithful, history has a way of repeating itself at Veterans Field as the Chatham Anglers walked off the Birds for an 8-7 victory. It was the third time this season the Anglers have beaten the Firebirds by that same score and the second time in walk off fashion.

The Birds scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning as outfielder Max Troiani (Bentley) drove a two-run double into the right field gap putting the Birds up 6-4 as they tacked on one more run prior to the bottom of the ninth.

Chatham outfielder Kaden Polcovich (Oklahoma State) responded with a bases clearing double with his team down to both their final strike and out. The soon to be Cowboy has tormented the Birds all summer to the tune of a .500 batting average and numerous clutch hits.

Teammate and fellow outfielder Jamal O’Guinn (USC) drove Polcovich in on a bloop RBI-single that found grass just eluding the Orleans defenders.

Orleans starter Noah Skirrow (Liberty) was touched up a bit as he allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings of work. The Cape League All-Star impressed all summer with his ability to miss bats and will be an important arm for the Birds come postseason play.

Zach Britton (Louisville) exceled at the plate going 4-for-4 5ncluding launching a deep home run into the Chatham night over the right field wall. Britton has been a consistent bat in the middle or top of the Birds order and showed out in a big game.

Firebirds reliever Justin Showalter (James Madison) threw well in relief going 2 2/3 innings while keeping Chatham off the board. Showalter was a late addition to the Birds’ roster but has performed well in limited action.

Prior to the conclusion of the game, Orleans knew their fate following a Hyannis victory over Yarmouth-Dennis. The Firebirds will host the first round of the postseason as the two seed in the east when they take on Y-D.

Orleans finished the regular season 2-4 against the Red Sox but won the final two meetings between the two teams in convincing fashion.

Thursday’s season finale against Chatham will mean nothing to the standings and will serve as a final tune up for both teams ahead of the playoffs.

Short Hops:

Orleans will likely send left-hander Jake Eder (Vanderbilt) to the mound for the regular season finale against the Anglers on Thursday. Eder has posted a 1.20 ERA in 15 innings of work this summer while making three starts.

Troiani enters the season’s final game third in the league in hitting at an even .340, he trails only Zach Deloach of Falmouth and Nick Gonzales from Cotuit.