Harwich, Mass. — As the sun began to set on a warm day at Whitehouse Field, the Anglers (7-10) were fixed in a tie of two with the Harwich Mariners (6-10-1) at the halfway point.

The game had gone back and forth, with Chatham claiming the early lead when right fielder Jacob Olson (South Carolina) plated third baseman Jake Palomaki (Boston College) on an infield single in the first.

“We came out strong, swung the bat well, and played some good defense,” said starting pitcher Jacob Stevens (Boston College).

But the Mariners’ offense grew dominant in the bottom of the fifth, mounting a five-run rally to put the game out of reach for the Anglers. Ryne Ogren (Elon) and Nick Dalesandro (Purdue) notched singles, while Cameron Simmons (Virginia) secured the victory with a two-run double.

“It’s mental,” said manager John Schiffner. “It’s a very difficult game to maintain through the nine innings.”

Catcher Fabian Pena (Manhattan) narrowed the deficit with a solo home run in the top of the seventh. Despite posing a threat with two men on base later in the inning, Chatham was unable to generate enough offense to plate any further runners.

Stevens delivered a strong performance on the mound, allowing two earned runs with three strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

“I was happy with today’s work,” Stevens said. “Today was a big improvement off my last outing, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Joe Lienhard (Oklahoma State) and Dan Metzdorf (Boston College) combined for 3.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Tyler Baum (North Carolina) took the win for Harwich, limiting Chatham to two earned runs with six strikeouts over 6.0 innings.

“Their pitchers made some great pitches in great situations, and once that happens it takes away the momentum,” Schiffner said. “It’s a game of ebb and flow, and right now we’re not flowing real well — we’re ebbing.” 

The Anglers host the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox (10-7-1) at Veterans Field Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.