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Braves Win in Bizarre Fashion against Wareham Gatemen
Jul 17, 2010
Author: Joseph Thompson

On a night where all military and veterans were welcome to Doran Park for military appreciation, the Braves won 4-2 against the Wareham Gatemen in a bizarre matchup between division rivals.

The bizarreness started early for the Braves in the top of the first when Gatemen leftfielder Zach Wilson (Arizona State) drew a walk then was able to reach third after Braves starter Anthony Meo (Coastal Carolina) attempted to pick him off at first but his throw got past first baseman Mike Nemeth (UConn). While this isn’t a bizarre situation to happen in baseball, Meo had an identical play like this in the top of the second with a different base runner.

Wilson (Arizona State) didn’t need fellow Gatemen Max Muncy to drive him home because he was able to score easily after a passed ball by Bourne catcher Josh Elander (TCU). Muncy would go on to draw a walk then reach third after a hard shot to right by catcher Chris Walker (Fordham). When Tyler Bream (Liberty) ripped one to right the Gatemen had a 2-0 lead after just one inning.

The Braves being the resilient bunch that they are scored in the bottom of the first on a Jason Coats (TCU) double which scored shortstop Nick Ahmed from second to cut the lead to one.

Here’s where the story gets sort of weird. In the bottom of the third, Braves designated hitter Scott Woodward walked to start the inning. Shortstop Nick Ahmed (UConn) hit a long single deep into center field. Woodward (Coastal Carolina) apparently thinking that Gatemen centerfielder Nico Rosthenhausler (Oklahoma State) was going to make an easy out started to head back to first from second on the play. The only problem was that Ahmed was safe at first. Woodward would be called out on the play.

While the mental blunder was surprising, it wasn’t what made the inning so unusual. During Tommy LaStella’s at bat Ahmed attempted to steal second. Gatemen catcher Chris Walker tried to catch Ahmed stealing but overthrew the ball past second baseman Anthony Toth (Michigan). Ahmed reached third, easily.

After LaStella (Coastal Carolina) lined the ball back to first baseman Max Muncy the most bizarre play that I have ever witnessed as a baseball fan took place. Muncy (Baylor)tried to prevent Ahmed, who was on third from scoring, and tossed the ball towards home plate. However, Gatemen starter Jack Armstrong (Vanderbuilt)who was halfway between the mound and first took the throw in the back and Ahmed scored to tie the game at two.

In the fourth, Braves catcher Josh Elander would score first baseman Mike Nemeth on a double to put them up by three and the Braves would go on to score again in the bottom of the eighth after another RBI by Elander (TCU).

Another unusual tidbit of the night came in the form of Braves reliever Thomas Kahnle (Lynn). Kahnle struck out all three Wareham batters that he faced, but couldn’t maintain control of his hat which fell off during most of his pitches.

There is an old saying that things don’t have to pretty to be efficient. The Braves proved that Saturday night when they notched up their 15th victory of the season when Braves closer Tony Zych (Louisville) came into the game at the top of the ninth to garner save number eight on the season.

The Braves next home game will be next Friday night at 6PM against the Chatham Anglers.