15 August 2008

Harwich crowned Cape League champs

By Staff reports
REGIONAL -

Harwich 2, Cotuit 1

The Mariners capped their incredible post-season run with title-clinching, walk off double by pinch hitter Mark Fleury in the bottom of the ninth on Thursday night.
"These guys have been doing this all year and I couldn't be more proud of a group of guys," said Mariners skipper Steve Englert. Englert rolled the dice, electing to go with a pinch hitter with the bases loaded in the final inning, but that decision paid off with his first league title as skipper. Cotuit starter Nick Hernandez had stifled Harwich hitters all night until Joe Sanders hit a lead off triple to start the ninth inning rally. Cotuit had scored the games first run two innings earlier on a sac fly off Harwich starter Chris Manno. After a hit batter and a walk to load the bases, Fleury came through with a two-strike double to deep center field that one-hopped the ball easily scoring the two Harwich runs. This marks the first time in 21 years the Mariners have been the kings of the Cape League.