It seems that the Arnie Allen Diamond has become a true home field advantage for the Falmouth Commodores. Bolstered by the return of one of last year’s key cogs in the run to the western division title, Mark Hamilton (Tulane), the Commodores exploded for their biggest offensive output of the season as they smoked visiting Harwich by a 14-6 score last night at home. Since starting the season at 1-5-1, Falmouth has won three straight at home and scored 32 runs over those last three games at the diamond. 

Hamilton, who arrived in Falmouth late Sunday, was in the cleanup spot and at first base last night for Falmouth and made an immediate impact. The left-handed hitting slugger went 4-for-5 in his first game of the year, driving in five runs while smacking a homer and a double. "I was just out there trying to put good swings on the ball," Hamilton said after having his way with Harwich’s pitching staff.

The victory came on the heels of a night where the offense was nonexistent against Chatham’s Jared Hughes flirted with the league’s first perfect game since 1987. The Commodores lost to Chatham by a 9-1 score but spoiled the no-hit bid when Aaron Garza (Vanderbilt) reached on an infield single to leadoff the ninth, went to second on a single by Warren McFadden (Tulane) and came all the way around from second to score on a wild pitch.

In Falmouth’s two previous games, both at home, Falmouth had pounded out a pair of wins. They defeated Brewster by an 8-2 score on Saturday night after surviving a slugfest against Orleans on Friday, 10-9.

Last night the Commodores scored early and often as they put up a seven spot in the first inning. Harwich starter Dan McDonald (Seton Hall) could not get the ball past the Commodores as the first 11 men all reached base and the rout had begun. Brandon Bowser (New Orleans) walked to lead the game off and then Matt Antonelli singled him, after a steal, to make it 1-0. Antonelli would steal both second and third before Chad Huffman walked men on the corners. That’s when Hamilton began his huge night at the plate, lacing the second pitch he saw to left for a 2-0 Falmouth lead. Jon Still (Stetson), who went 3-for-5, followed with an RBI single of his own to make it 3-0. Shelby Ford (TCU) was next and the Falmouth third baseman blasted a three-run homer to center to make it 6-0. Falmouth would get one more in the frame on an RBI single by Bowser, which eventually provided the winning run.

The Commodores would make their lead a cool 10-0 in the second inning as Hamilton, Still and Ford all scored runs for Falmouth. Harwich made things somewhat interesting in the third when they pushed three across, with two coming in on a homer by Jake Dugger (Arkansas). Falmouth came back with another pair, though, as Hamilton followed a single by Huffman with a jack to center, making it 12-3. Harwich would get as close as 12-6, but they never truly threatened to make it a ballgame. Huffman doubled in a run for Falmouth in the seventh and then Hamilton followed suit to account for the final score.

On the hill, the Commodores’ Chris Krawcyzk picked up the win in relief for Falmouth. Krawcyzk entered the game in the fifth when starter Sam Demel (TCU) tired and could not retire the Mariners, and pitched hitless relief for two and one-third innings. In the win against Brewster, on Sunday, Falmouth got out to a quick lead when Antonelli doubled in the first, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielder’s choice by Huffman. The Commodores added three more, to make it 4-0, on a round-tripper by Huffman to left in the third. The team scored its fifth run an inning later on an RBI double by Dave Preziosi (Boston College). Brewster would add a pair to make it 5-2, but then Falmouth got three more in the seventh on hits by Huffman and Still.

The Commodores are back in action this afternoon as they travel to Bourne for a 4:45 PM game. After a day off on Wednesday, the Commodores, who are now 4-6-1 overall, will be at Wareham for a 7 PM contest on Thursday night.