Vandy Boys of Summer, Week 3 CCBL Recap: Waite Offensive Surge, Holcomb Power Drought, & Pitching Adversity
Three weeks into the 2025 Cape Cod Baseball season, here’s where things stand with the Vandy Boys:
Waite on another offensive surge
Ryker Waite has been on a hot streak of late. The young shortstop continues to hit and has upped his average to .279 to go along with 1 home run, 5 RBI, 2 doubles, 1 triple, and an .819 OPS. On Tuesday night against Falmouth, Waite hit his first home run of the summer, a leadoff blast to kick off the game. Overall, Waite has really taken advantage of the increased playing time this summer and could see more playing time in his sophomore year, likely in a backup role.
Holcomb’s power drought continues
Braden Holcomb has yet to hit a home run this summer and is batting .207 with a .516 OPS and just 1 double and 3 RBI for Bourne this summer. Whether it’s a hitch in his swing or he’s pressing at the plate, something needs to change for Holcomb to get back on track. We all know who Holcomb can be at the plate and hopefully he can break out of this funk soon.
Jakob “The Schulminator” Schulz still hasn’t given up an earned run
Jakob Schulz for Falmouth has a 0.00 ERA in 4.2 innings pitched this summer to go along with 7 strikeouts and 4 walks. Whenever he’s called upon, Schulz will be BAHCK (Arnold voice) on the mound for more outs. The lefty has shown how valuable he can be heading into what will be a crucial year for a Commodore team dying to get back to Omaha.
O’Rourke and Falukner battle adversity in Citi Field Showcase
On Monday, Tommy O’Rourke (Hyannis) and Jacob Faulkner (Wareham) represented the Cape Cod Baseball League in the first annual MLB Draft League Cape League Showcase game held at Citi Field.
O’Rourke and Faulkner each pitched 2/3 of an inning in the Showcase, with neither faring well. O’Rourke suffered the most damage as he surrendered 4 runs on 2 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Faulkner did not do much better, earning the loss after giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits and recording 1 strikeout.
O’Rourke will have the chance for redemption as he remains on the Cape and has been steady with a 3.38 ERA and 7 strikeouts to just one walk this summer. Meanwhile, Faulkner’s summer is over with Wareham releasing him.
Cape League disappoints overall in Citi Field Showcase
Monday’s Showcase game was a bit of a disappointment for the Cape League, which is generally known as the country’s most prestigious collegiate baseball league with the Cape League losing 10-6. While the Cape League generated 8 hits, the squad struggled to keep up with the MLB Draft League’s efficiency of 10 runs on 10 hits. Most concerning, the Cape League is known for its pitching prowess and 10 runs on 10 hits is a line no pitching staff ever wants to see on a box score.
Next year’s game should be interesting as now the Cape League is officially 0-1 against a league with much less history and a much shorter list of successful MLB alumni. Exhibition or not, bragging rights are bragging rights, pride is pride, and the MLB Draft League has no business putting up a 10 piece on Cape League pitchers.
Fourth of July Watching Guide
One of the best New England summer traditions is Cape League baseball on July 4th. Each town holds its own parade to start the day where the teams are on the backs of trucks. For the single players, this is a great time to find a Summer Catch (a tad corny, but a decent 2001 baseball movie), as players can frequently be seen tossing baseballs with phone numbers written on them to eager female fans. Following the Cape games, fans often watch the fireworks from the towns’ respective baseball teams.
For games where the Vandy Boys may see some action, Hyannis and Yarmouth-Dennis square off at 4 p.m Central, Bourne and Wareham at 5 p.m Central, and Cotuit and Falmouth at 4 p.m., Central.
The games are streamable at https://www.capeleaguetv.com.
Playoff picture
As crazy as it may sound, it’s time to start thinking about the playoff picture for the Cape League with one month left in the season. With 10 teams in the league, the top four teams from each division make the playoffs. The playoffs are then three rounds of best of three series.
All the Vandy Boys on the Cape are currently in the West Division. Of the Commodore teams on the Cape, Hyannis and Falmouth have the best playoff chance currently with Hyannis at a 9-5-2 record to lead the division with Falmouth in second at 7-8-1. Bourne is currently clinging to a playoff spot at 6-9-1 and will need to go on a run to separate themselves from Cotuit, who have the same record. With the All-Star game approaching on July 19th, be on the lookout for any Commodores selected.
Happy Fourth of July Commodore Nation!
Stay tuned for a recap of Week 4 next week!
