17 June 2005

THIS WEEK IN THE CAPE LEAGUE

CAPE COD, Mass. – First it was Bourne and Cotuit battling to a 1-1 tie in nine innings. Then Hyannis and Y-D made it two ties as they played to a 2-2 draw, also in nine innings. Then Wareham and Falmouth made history as the two West Division rivals played 14 innings before ending in a 3-3 tie. The three ties are the most in one day in league history. Tie games were officially counted in standings starting with the 1970 season when the league changed to a point system (two points for a win, one point for a tie) to determine league standings.

     On five previous occasions there had been two ties in one day, the last time it happened was on 4 July 1998 when Hyannis at Cotuit and Wareham at Bourne each battled to 2-2 draws in 10 innings.

     In the previous 75 opening day games (since 1990) there had been a total of three tie games. The last first day tie was in 2002 when Chatham and Falmouth played to a 4-all draw.

     The 14-inning game is the longest opening day game. It is tied for the sixth longest tie game in league history. The longest was a 17-inning battle between Falmouth and Orleans that ended at 3-3. 

     (NOTE: The last team listed in the games is the home team.)

     Beginning with a Bang  … Harwich’s J. P Lowen got his Cape League season off to a bang as he hit home runs in his first two at bats. His first a 2-run shot came in the second inning. His second was a 3-run blast in the fourth as he paced Harwich to a 6-3 win over Chatham. This is the second straight year that a Mariner opened the season with consecutive home runs. In 2004 Brent Lillibridge begin the season with two solo home runs in an 8-3 loss at Chatham.

     Lowen and Lillibridge are the only known players to hit home runs in their first two at bats of the season. They are only the fourth and fifth known players to homer in their first at bat.

Bruce Hack
Historical Consultant