After an exciting walk-off victory against Cotuit in the home opener last night, The Anglers (2-0) are looking to build off of that momentum tonight as they face the Brewster Whitecaps (0-1) at Veterans Field.
Chatham was able to stay undefeated against Cotuit on an RBI single from pinch-hitter Sheehan Planas-Arteaga (Barry University). The Anglers had a 4-2 lead going into the 9th inning, but the Kettleers were able to score two off of RHP Chad Sobotka (South Carolina- Upstate) to tie the game. LF Josh Eldridge (Old Dominion) led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a single, Brandon Sedell(Nova Southeastern) had a pinch hit walk, and then coach John Schiffner decided to send Planas-Arteaga to the plate with a chance to win the game.
"I thought it was a perfect situation for him, Schiffner said. I look like a genius, but he (Planas-Arteaga) did all of the work."
Jimmy Pickens (Michigan State) had a hit and scored a run in Chathams 5-4 win over Cotuit. Photo by Chelsea Capwell
Against Brewster, the Anglers will send Lukas Schiraldi (Texas) to the mound for his season debut. In the short time that Schiffner has been around him, he has liked what he has seen from his big right-hander.
"Just look at him, hes got a pitcher's body," Schiffner said. "He has a chance to be pretty good for us."
Schiraldi stands at a hulking 6-6. He was drafted in this years MLB draft in the 35th round by the Washington Nationals, but will elect to transfer to the University of Texas to pitch his senior season.
His father, Calvin Schiraldi, pitched at Texas, and helped them win the 1983 College World Series, along with his future Boston Red Sox teammate Roger Clemens. He was drafted in 1983 by the New York Mets, but was traded in 1985 to the Red Sox. He is best known for his performance in the 1986 World Series, where he notched a save in Game 1, but was credited for the loss in both Game 6 and Game 7.
Against the Anglers, Brewster manager John Altobelli will send junior RHP Jake Stinnett (Maryland) to the mound for his season debut. In his junior season for the Terrapins, Stinnnett had a 6-5 record in 16 appearances (nine as a starter), with a 2.83 ERA and 48 strikeouts.
Notable hitters for the Whitecaps include 3B Tucker Tubbs (Memphis), who collected two hits and scored a run for Brewster in their 5-2 lost to Yarmouth-Dennis. In 2013 for the Tigers, Tubbs batted .295 with two home runs and 18 RBI.
Going into the third game of the season, even though the team has been together for less than two weeks, Schiffner likes how his team is coming together.
"They really seem to like each other and have really gelled together as a team," Schiffner said. "They just want to come out every day and play."
First pitch is at 7 p.m. Tune into the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 6:40 p.m. for live coverage with broadcasters Brandon Liebhaber and Keith Zubrow at TRZ Teamline or call 1-800-846-4700, code 3841.