1 August 2007

Bourne Braves are Red Hot 

By Andrew Grover
GateHouse News Service

Bourne - After posting only nine victories last year, Bourne is just one victory away from clinching a playoff spot. And if the Braves win five more games in the regular season, they will eclipse their all time record of 26 victories. 

     Maybe odd numbered years are a parody. The Braves won the division in 2003 and 2005 before falling to Orleans in the championship games. In 2007, the Braves were three games ahead of the second place Falmouth Commodores for the division title at The Bourne Courier’s deadline. 

     This Braves team is loaded with speed, hits well in the clutch and frustrates opposing pitching staffs with their keen eye at the plate. 

     The Braves have held first place in the West for more than a month and are in the top two of most batting and pitching categories. 

     The starting pitching has been superb, having allowed just 15 runs in the last eight games. Bourne is second in the league with a (2.89) ERA. The Braves pitching staff has a 3-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Braves starters have baffled opponents all season and the relief pitching of Matt Gorgen (Cal-Berkley), Jeff Richard (Central Michigan) and Jordan Flasher (George Mason) has been superb. 

     D.J. Mitchell (Clemson) and T.J. Hose (East Carolina) have led the Braves’ starting pitching and are ranked in the top 10 pitchers in the league. 

     Bourne is having their best offensive year in the past decade and its .270 average with runners in scoring position and two outs is impressive.

The Braves sent five players to the All-Star game — Josh Satin (Cal-Berkeley), Jordan Flasher (George Mason), T.J. Hose (East Carolina), Kevin Hoef (Iowa) and Ben Guez (William & Mary). 

The Braves have been to the playoffs five times in the last decade, but have not been able to win a championship.

But this has been a magical season — Doran Park has been officially dedicated and Harvey Shapiro finally has his 200th victory. 

     The Braves have the best record at home (14-6); the best comeback team when they trail after eight innings (2-9); when leading after seven innings they are 18-0, and the pitchers have the best ERA in July with (2.75).