ORLEANS — Something was in the air on the night of Friday, July 2 because the Orleans Firebirds managed to hit seven home runs in a 19-6 rout of the Brewster Whitecaps.
Outfielder Chase DeLauter (James Madison U.), catcher Garret Guillemette (U. of Southern California), and third baseman Tyler Locklear (Virginia Commonwealth U.) hit two homers each, while shortstop Payton Chatagnier (U. of Mississippi) added a grand slam for the Firebirds. The victory margin was the largest of the year for the team.
After a day off, the Firebirds had two home games in a row on July 4 and 5. On the 4th, the Birds picked up another win, 8-3, over the Chatham Anglers, this time with home runs from DeLauter and Chatagnier.
The Whitecaps got revenge on the Birds on Monday the 5th with a 5-2 victory. At press time, the Firebirds were scheduled to play another home game against the Bourne Braves on Tuesday. The Braves had the best record in the league at 9-1-2.
The Firebirds currently sit in the middle of the East Division with a 6-5-1 record, but the team’s batting tops the league. Outfielder Rhylan Thomas (U. of Southern California) leads the league with a .450 average, and DeLauter leads all players with five home runs.
Locklear is tied for second in home runs with four, and is first in RBIs with 14. The team has combined to hit 15 home runs, best in the league.
The Firebirds’ next home game after Tuesday will be on Saturday, July 10 at 7 p.m. against the Falmouth Commodores. —Ryan Fitzgerald