CHRONICLE SPORTS


Mariners Go Pop On The Fourth, Snap Seven Game Skid

 7 Jul, 2005


 


PLEASANT LAKE — For the first time in over a week there were bona fide smiles and high fives during Harwich’s customary post-game handshake, as the Mariners snapped a seven-game losing streak with a decisive 6-2 win over the Brewster Whitecaps on Independence Day.

Harwich starter Kyle Parker struck out seven over six innings, and Chad Flack and Joe Perschina each went 2-for-4 and drove in two runs. The Mariners built a 5-1 lead through three innings to secure a long overdue victory.

“If you told me we’d lose seven straight, I would’ve told you you’re out of your mind, because this team is too good to lose seven straight,” declared Harwich Field Manager Steve Englert.

“We had some guys leaving and some guys coming, so that upsets the chemistry a little bit,” Englert added. “We were snake bitten and it seemed like during the losing streak, no one was getting that big hit when we needed it.” 

There were plenty of timely hits on Monday. 

Flack doubled in two runs in the first, newcomer Perschina singled in a pair in the third, and former Whitecap Matt Morizio got the best of his old team with an RBI double in the fifth. The strong-armed catcher also threw out a pair of runners at second. His battery mate, Parker, improved to 2-1, tossing four-hit, one run ball.

Winners of their first four games, Harwich was sitting pretty at 6-3 and atop the East Division after the first week of play. But they learned how quickly things can change.

During their losing streak, the Mariners dropped games to Bourne, Falmouth, Orleans (2), Chatham, Cotuit, and lowly Hyannis, who picked up only its third win of the 

season with a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Harwich on Sunday.

Five of those seven losses came by a run.

Prior to Monday’s much-needed victory, Harwich last won on June 25, when they defeated Hyannis 9-3 to capture the annual Nantucket Pennant trophy.

The good news for Harwich (7-10 as of Tuesday) is that despite the skid, they remain only two points behind wild card leader Chatham (8-7).

“The good part about this whole thing was that the guys never got down,” Englert said. “They came to the park and played hard every night. It’s easy to go in the tank, especially in summer ball, but these guys were mad they lost and they responded. They wanted to get out there the next day and go after it. That’s what’s impressed me.” 

by Eric Adler
Eric Adler 


 


 

For more stories about Chatham, Harwich and the lower Cape, see the print edition of The Cape Cod Chronicle , on news stands every Thursday. Click here for a list of news dealers who carry the paper, or contact us to subscribe. Contents copyright 2005, The Cape Cod Chronicle.