Gabe Friese (Kennesaw State) has heard sub-par puns about his last name all his life. But to wear one more out, he had ice water in his veins against the Harwich Mariners on Wednesday. Friese struck out four and did not allow a Mariner to reach base in four and one third innings of relief.

“I just threw strikes,” said Friese. “I think all my pitchers were working tonight and location was a big factor.”

The only problem for the Anglers was that they were four runs down by the time Friese entered the game. After dropping a heartbreaker to Harwich (5-3-1) in the first game of a home-and-home on Tuesday, Chatham (4-4) lost the second, 4-0, at Veterans Field on Wednesday.

“We were flat,” said Manager John Schiffner. “And the Harwich pitchers threw very well.”

The Anglers offense has been lacking lately—for the last 15 innings to be exact. That is how long it has been since they last recorded a run.  

“We’re facing good pitching,” said Trenton Brooks (Nevada). “We need to just try to get better pitches to hit. We can’t go after borderline pitches in hitter’s counts, and we have to take a good swing at a good pitch.”

Daniel Castano (Baylor) started on the hill for the Anglers. The big lefty took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits over four and two-thirds innings. The Mariners did not hit Castano hard, but they were nonetheless able to manufacture runs against him.

Connor Justus (Georgia Tech) got the ball rolling for Harwich in the second inning. He singled and stole two bases before coming home on a one-out groundball.

In the third Cavan Biggio (Notre Dame) had one of the few hard-hit Mariner balls when he doubled in Nick Walker (Old Dominion) for the second run.

In the fifth the Mariners were able to plate two more—one via a wild pitch and the other via a Connor Justus single.

The game was also the last for middle infielder, Garrett Hampson (Long Beach State), before heading out to play for College Team USA. It is unknown whether Hampson will return after international competition.

"I've had a lot of fun in Chatham," said Hampson, who was also on the team last year. "I've learned a lot too."

The Anglers’ will next host the Brewster Whitecaps at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

John Schiffner: “We just have to come back ready to play tomorrow."