Vandy Boys of Summer, Week 4 CCBL Recap: Shorey Shining, Waite Stays Hot, All-Star Prospects
Nearly halfway through the 2025 Cape Cod Baseball League season, here are some updates on the Vandy Boys currently in the thick of summer ball.
Shorey Shining with Increased Innings
Matthew Shorey has been the Commodores’ best pitcher on the Cape this summer for Bourne Braves. In 15.2 innings, Shorey has a stellar 2-0 record with a 1.15 EDA and 14 strikeouts to go with 8 walks. In his last outing on Sunday, Shorey tossed 5 scoreless innings with 3 strikeouts and just 1 hit allowed. Next year, Shorey appears to be slated for a larger role as a sophomore. Shorey’s ability to go multiple innings could be a real weapon for this pitching staff next season, especially to save the weekend starters’ arms down the stretch as postseason play approaches.
Waite Continues to Stay Hot
Ryker Waite just keeps hitting with his average up to .316. After beginning the season at the bottom of the order for Bourne, Waite has locked down the leadoff role and is thriving. Waite has 9 RBI, 1 home run, 3 doubles and a triple this summer. On Tuesday night, Waite had one of his best games of the season and went 3 for 5 with 1 RBI and 1 double.
I admit, I was skeptical earlier this summer when Waite was confirmed as headed to the Cape because he barely played during the regular season. Going from less than 10 at-bats to the Cape League is a Herculean leap in playing time without even mentioning the high level of competition. Ryker, my sincere apologies, you can clearly play and you will be in the lineup next season in one way shape or form.
As the summer goes on, it will be interesting to see if Waite can hit for some more power, one of his predecessor Jonathan Vastine’s best traits as a hitter.
Holcomb Battling and Improving Average but Still No Dingers
While Braden Holcomb has yet to hit a home run, he has managed to slowly raise his average as the season has progressed. Holcomb is currently hitting a .219 average with 4 RBI and 2 doubles. As the playoffs approach, any power Holcomb can give Bourne would help the Braves lock down a playoff spot. And the playoffs would provide some more high stakes at-bats for Holcomb, who has appeared to develop a bit of a clutch gene within the last year.
All-Star Game Prospects
The Cape Cod League All-Star Game will be held on Saturday July 19th. Currently, Matthew Shorey and Ryker Waite have the best chances of representing Vanderbilt. These selections would be well deserved for Shorey and Waite who have both played their way into the conversation of the Cape League’s best players in 2025.
Jakob Schulz and Tommy O’Rourke also have outside chances for Falmouth and Hyannis respectively. However, Schulz has a relatively low number of innings pitched with 5.1. While O’Rourke’s ERA has increased to 4.91, he has an impressive 10 strikeout to just 2 walks.
Playoff Picture
Currently, all the VandyBoys still on the Cape are on playoff bound teams in the Western Division with Hyannis in first with a 10-8-3 record, Falmouth in second with a 10-10-1 record, and Bourne in third with a 9-10-1 record. For a Commodore team looking to break through and get back to Omaha, any playoff experience is worthwhile experience and a championship would be a perfect way to cap off the summer.
Stay tuned for Part 6 next week!
