Scoring early in seven-inning, doubleheader games is a significant advantage. The Chatham Anglers (7-5) demonstrated an understanding of that concept against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks (8-4) in the first inning on Monday afternoon.

Will Craig (Wake Forest) drove in Trenton Brooks (Nevada) with a line drive to right field for the first run. Aaron Barnett (Pepperdine) followed with an RBI of his own that brought Cory Raley (Texas Tech) in via a 4-6 fielder’s choice with nobody out. And before the half inning concluded, Zack Short (Sacred Heart) beat out an E5 to drive Aaron Knapp (California) across the plate.

Cory Raley (Texas Tech) played his first game for the Anglers on Monday. 

“We played small ball,” said Manager John Schiffner. “We took really good at-bats, and we executed well in that inning.”

The Anglers rode the three-run opening frame to a 3-2 victory over the Harbor Hawks. The win stretches Chatham’s win streak against Hyannis to five consecutive contests, dating back to June 29, 2014.

Parker Dunshee (Wake Forest) made his second start for the Anglers, and he dazzled again. The right-hander allowed two runs on four hits over six plus innings. He also recorded three strikeouts and did not issue a walk.

“He helps himself out so much,” said Schiffner. “He got off the mound really well on two plays that could’ve been disastrous without him. He had command of his pitches, controlled the zone, and just pitched a good game.”

Over his first ten innings on the Cape, Dunshee has relinquished two runs. In 120 pitches, he has thrown 90 strikes for a .750 strike ratio. He has not allowed a walk and has notched six strikeouts.

“Getting ahead, throwing strikes, forcing contact—are all things that we’re preached at school,” said Dunshee. “That’s how you go deep into starts and give your team a chance to win, so that’s what I’m trying to do.”

The game was also the debut for Angler second baseman, Cory Raley. The Texas native reached base two times and made several defensive plays, including a timely 4-3 double play to end the second inning.

“It’s great out here,” said Raley. “The baseball is great, the weather is great, and there’s a great group of guys out here. It’s going to be fun.”

Andre Scrubb (High Point) came on to pitch with a runner on second and nobody out in the bottom of the seventh. The Harbor Hawks got one run home and loaded the bases with no outs, but Scrubb came back with a strikeout and a 4-6-3 double play.

“I’ve been sticking to the mechanics that I learned at High Point,” said Scrubb. “I’ve just been trying to effectively execute the pitches that [Coach] Bono calls.”

The Anglers will play game two of the doubleheader against the Harbor Hawks at 7:15 p.m. tonight.