Article By: Joseph McLaughlin

Cotuit, Mass — One swing. That was the difference in game two of the first-round playoff series between the Wareham Gatemen and the Cotuit Kettleers. 

Entering the bottom of the 11th inning, the Gatemen and the Kettleers were tied 2-2. Cotuit’s Zan Von Schlegell (Saint Thomas) led off the inning with a base hit up the middle off pitcher Tony Pluta (Arizona).

Then Cotuit’s Logan Beaver (Alabama-Birmingham) stepped up to the plate and blasted a two-run walkoff home run over the right field wall to defeat the Wareham Gatemen 4-2 and advance to the West Division Finals. 

The Gatemen’s season officially comes to an end just as it did a year before. On August 6, 2024, the Gatemen were eliminated by the Kettleers at Lowell Park, and history repeated itself in 2025. 

This marks the second consecutive playoff elimination for the Gatemen against the Kettleers, and they could only watch as the gates were shut on their season. 

The Kettleers got ahead of the Gatemen early, scoring two runs in the second inning. It was a lead they would hold until the eighth inning when the Gatemen got on the board. 

Third Baseman Jack Kail (Columbia) drove in Center Fielder Hayden Yost (Florida) to cut the Kettleers' lead in half. Kail then came home to tie the game on a single from Shortstop Chris Ramirez (California Baptist), but he was ruled out at home on a throw by Cotuit’s Caden Bogenpohl (Missouri State).

Kail did appear to be safe in real time, but Kettleers Catcher Luke Lavin (Stanford) barely tagged Kail’s foot before his hand touched home plate. The call sent Gatemen Field Manager Ryan Smyth and the Gatemen bench into a frenzy as it seemed like they were robbed of a run. 

They would get the run back in the ninth, however, as Right Fielder Chase Krewson (Rutgers) scored Pinch Runner Vance Sheahan (Miami) to tie the game at 2-2. 

Both teams then battled in extra innings. Cotuit threatened in the 10th with runners in scoring position, but Pitcher Ty Starke (Louisville) got a strikeout to end the inning. Yet, the Kettleers emerged victorious with Beaver’s walkoff home run to beat Wareham 4-2.

It was a tough way for the Gatemen’s season to come to an end, but it does not take away the experiences that these players had. All of them came from different corners of the country and entered Wareham as strangers, but left as friends for life.

“It was awesome. I learned a lot. The coaches are the most amazing people, they were down to earth, people you could talk to, people you learn from baseball wise, and just the whole team being there, having each other's backs, and just having a good time playing baseball and enjoying the game that we all love, it was awesome,” said Sheahan.

Sheahan had been on the Gatemen since day one, seeing the team evolve through ups and downs, learning along the way. 

“There were a whole bunch of different personalities coming from all over the country, different programs, small, big, everything. You learn a little bit from everybody, and then you make friends with everybody, and you’ll have them for the rest of your life. You can go visit or just when you go play against them in the college season,” said Sheahan.

Other players had different experiences, but they all came away with the same thoughts about the opportunity to play in the Cape Cod Baseball League. 

“I wish it were longer, but it was great. I enjoyed it. We had a bunch of super competitive guys on the team who wanted to win, it was great,” said Kail.

“All the people here are so cool, built great relationships with everyone in this organization, the president, everyone, my host, parents, and it's been, it's been a real fun time playing baseball these past two years,” said Colby Turner (Michigan).

Kail joined the team recently, ahead of their playoff push, while Turner was a returning Gateman, having been here for two summers. Both walked away with valuable memories and friends.

“The off-the-field camaraderie, hanging out in the locker room, hanging out on the bus rides, I think that part brought us closer than just the baseball aspect. The biggest thing, too, is the level of play. Playing in a league like this with some really high-level guys, I feel like I took away some things from the guys and the coaches to make myself a better baseball player and a better man off the field,” said Kail.

“Both years are pretty special. Both teams were close. Everyone loved each other, and everyone had fun with each other. It was never a dull moment,” said Turner. 

Although it is sad to see the season end, it was an incredible one to witness. The team reached the playoffs for the second consecutive season and led the league in several categories thanks to its talented roster.

“I've been a part of some good teams and some bad teams, and as a coach out here, you want to be around a group of guys that make you want to come to the ballpark every day, not just because you're playing baseball, but because you're going to be around some cool personalities. I think we had that this summer. These guys jelled pretty quickly, and they played the game; they played hard. They fought all the way, and that's something that I'll never forget,” said Smyth.

The Wareham Gatemen organization is proud of all of its players, coaches, interns, volunteers, and especially fans for creating a great summer of Wareham Gatemen Baseball. The Gatemen wish all of its players the best of luck with their futures both on and off the diamond. 

It is goodbye for now, but the Wareham Gatemen will return for next year’s Cape Cod Baseball League season in June of 2026.