8/4/03
Day of the Doomed - Cotuit 2, Hyannis 2 (8 innings)
By Katie Vieth
The clouds hang heavy in the sky. Don't know about Mudville,
but the joy in Cotuit is pretty sparse now. And it started
with clouds and rain. And it ended with clouds and rain. Garry
Bakker took the mound that fateful Monday, his demeanor unlike
his usual happy one. A fan compared this to a Dr. Jekyll,
Mr. Hyde type of personality. Either way, Bakker was ready
to do some serious business.
Cotuit's first hit came in the top of the second.
C.J. Smith was at the plate, and on a 2-1 count, hit it straight
up the gap. Blake Gill followed with another single; both
batters would have two singles in the game. The third batter
of the inning, Jeff Baisley dropped an absolutely textbook bunt
down the third base line, and made it to first. The bases
were loaded. Clay Timpner slammed it to center, giving C.J.
Smith enough time to tag and score. 1-0 Cotuit.
Hyannis had its first hit in the third; A.J. McCauley hit it to
left, and, on a throwing error, would make it to third.
Bakker also issued his first walk of the game (he would only have
three walks in 8 1/3 innings).
The next big play occurred in the top of the sixth. A heavy
mist began to fall, upon the crowd at McKeon Park. C.J.
Smith was, once again, the first batter in the inning. The
count was 3-0, a hitter's count, and C.J. was a big hitter in
the game, going 3-4. But that was later. Graham Taylor of
Hyannis kicked, dealed, and it was so far gone it was like it
had never been. It was wicked awesome. (A small note:
at the time, C.J.'s five home runs were more than Hyannis's team
total of four.)
Hyannis rallied in the bottom of the sixth with Brian Hall scoring
Sam Fuld on a single up the middle; Fuld had gotten a single and
stolen second. Garry Bakker lasted 8 1/3 innings with
thirteen strikeouts, but Hyannis would rally again. In the
bottom of the eighth, Hyannis scored Fuld again, this time using
catcher Donny Lucy. 2-2.
Then came the top of the ninth, a ninth one would want to forget.
Jeff Baisley hit it up the middle for a double, and Timpner made
his third sacrifice of the game. Hyannis then began to stall,
with frequent pitcher-catcher meetings (which for some reason
had to include the third baseman, shortstop, and co.) that the
home plate umpire did little to slow. They finally changed
pitchers, swapping a 3 1/3 inning-old Brian Doveala for Mark Sauls.
While he was warming up, Cotuit swapped Joel Bocchi for Zeke Parraz;
the announcers even announced his name, college, and number.
Then ...
It was too dark, the umpire said. Obscenities were hurled
like rotten tomatoes onto the field. 'The sky had been darker
at other points in the game! Why hadn't it been called then?
Was it the one-out, man on third that tipped the plate ump off?'
fans thought, both out loud and to themselves. Head coach
Garret Quinn was out of the dugout like a shot, arguing for his
cause. The sun seemed to shine a bit brighter from patches
of blue as if to help prove the point. More players and
coaches joined in, vocally, one might add, but the ump's mind
was not to be changed.
And so we were out of the playoffs, and Hyannis clinched.
Now, with heavy hearts, we all chime in.
"There's always next year."
8/3/03
Bourne 8, Cotuit 3
by Brett Moldoff
The long ball was in full effect today as four balls left the
yard, producing seven runs. Unfortunately it was not quite enough
for Cotuit as they hit two solo shots and added just one RBI
later on in the game. The Kettleers lost 8-3 to the western
division leading Bourne Braves. Mark Worrell pitched well, but
he gave up a two run home run in the 3rd, and a three run home
run in the 6th. He did not let the home runs affect him as he
struck out the following batter both times. The Kettleers home
runs were hit by Jeff Baisley and John Hardy, both their second
of the year. A single in the 1st, a double in the 3rd and a
home run in the 5th gave John Hardy a near cycle. He missed
the hardest hit, a triple, to complete the cycle.
The best defensive play of the night came in the top of the
5th inning. Jeff Palumbo was batting for Bourne with a runner
at first when he squared to bunt. His bunt popped up equidistant
from the catcher and pitcher, and Worrell made a diving catch
for the out. He kept his composure and he had the right mindset
to throw to first and catch Sean Dobson off the bag on
a close play.
Two nights ago in Orleans, C.J. Smith hit his 4th home run of
the year, a two run shot in the 11th inning, as the Kettleers
went on to win 2-0 in exciting fashion. Paul Lubrano pitched
a one hitter through nine innings before giving way to the bullpen.
The second annual Fan Appreciation Night at Lowell Park proved
to be a huge success while over 150 winners collected prizes
for being the greatest Cape Cod Baseball League fans. Any person
in attendance could fill out a form and approximately fifteen
entries were drawn per inning. A lot of laughter came, not just
when I would pronounce an entries name terribly wrong, but when
a player won. Between innings when the Kettleers were in the
field tossing the ball around, Cotuit outfielder Jeff Fiorentino
won a prize. The comedian he is, dropped the ball, and tipped
his cap to an laughing crowd. He was one of about five players
to win.
Prior to the game, Kettleer house parents were recognized as
they were introduced by Bruce Murphy, the GM of Cotuit. Lastly,
since it was a weekend, before the Nation Anthem was sung, by
a recording and not the sensational Beverly Donheiser, all kids
get to go on the field with a player of their choice. Two Cotuit
players from the dugout ran out and stood by starting pitcher
Mark Worrell. It was a fun night for everyone, but sadly Cotuit
lost. Hyannis won and Cotuit needs to win their remaining two
games (one against Hyannis) while Hyannis must lose both to
create a one game playoff with each other. Good luck to the
Kettleers.
8/1/03
Cotuit 6, Brewster 6
by Katie Vieth
As
the mists from Cotuit Bay migrated to the outfield of Lowell
Park on a very foggy Friday, J.C. Holt stepped up to the plate.
It was Cotuit v. Brewster, a tough match up for Cotuit at best,
a massacre waiting to happen at worst. But, as tough times call
for tougher teams, Cotuit was prepared for the former choice,
prepared to win.
The first inning consisted of the game's first run. Dennis Diaz
got on base due to a 3-1 walk. Bad idea for Brewster. On an
attempt to get him running to second, Aaron Hathaway threw the
ball way to hard, advancing Diaz to third. After a John Hardy
strikeout, Eric Nielsen flew out to right field, scoring Diaz.
C.J. Smith would then give another strikeout to Brewster's Philip
Davidson, but the Kettleers had tasted victory... and liked
it.
The next two runs were Brewster's; a leadoff single in the third
by Jim Burt (and a sac bunt from Tommy Manzella) allowed the
left fielder to be batted in on a Brian Bixler single, who was
in turn batted in by a sac fly to center from Paco Figueroa.
Cotuit answered with three runs in the bottom of the third.
Jeff Fiorentino scored on a Hardy double after getting on by
being Davidson's first hit batsman of the game. Diaz bunted
his way on and was, once again, batted in by an Nielsen sacrifice
fly (all of Nielsen's three RBIs were runs scored by Diaz).
Hardy's previously mentioned double gave Smith an opportunity
for an RBI, which C.J. took full advantage with by smacking
a two-out triple to right field.
Things were looking good, with a 4-2 score, but it all came
down in the top of the sixth. Michael Hyle pitched valiantly,
but with a Ryan Patterson leadoff double, Brewster was a steamroller
cut loose, and Cotuit was standing in the way. Two more runs
would score- totaling Hyle's total to two earned runs, one unearned-
before Shawn Phillips would replace him. But Phillips was to
fare no better. Second baseman Zeke Parraz made an error on
a Burt hit that would allow a run to score, and another runner
-Burt- on base. Burt would later score the tying run. The very
next batter, Phillips would hit Manzella in the head with a
ball, allowing another runner on base (Mario LaMue would replace
Manzella as a runner). Phillips lasted two more batters before
Donald Brickle would spend a total of three pitches on two batters
for two outs. Cotuit, in the bottom of the inning, only
had one base runner, a hit-by-pitch Parraz.
The crowd, in the top of the seventh, was nervous. Would Brickle
be able to stop the Brewster steamroller? Or would they simply
squash the Kettleers' hopes like candy on the street after a
parade? Brickle would pitch a 1-2-3, seven-pitch inning with
a strikeout, pop out, and ground out. Then came the bottom of
the seventh. Kris Krise now pitching, Diaz took four straight
balls for a walk, then advanced on a wild pitch. John Hardy
fouled off three, but fell to Krise, a strikeout. Then came
Eric Nielsen, enemy of pitchers everywhere. He worked the count
to 1-2, then... crack!! Nielsen buried it just down the first
line, a triple! Nielsen was batted in by a Blake Gill
single. Clay Timpner ended the rally with a grounder, but fans
still clapped with joy. As the fog finally smothered the field,
Cotuit tied it up with a two-run inning, giving Cotuit their
first (and only) tie of the year.
7/30/03
- Cotuit 5, Falmouth 4
by
Katie Vieth
There are times when
one thinks the greats of baseball have bestowed us with a great
team, a team capable only of great things. This was how
we felt when Cotuit won in Falmouth, after beating Bourne (#1
in the Western Division) the night before. The race
for the playoffs has begun, and Cotuit, within three points
of Hyannis, who is in turn two points behind Bourne, is beginning
to realize its potential.
The
game began with, well, a fly ball, but that wasn't really the
start. Dennis Diaz, who was playing only his second game
for Cotuit, tapped one into the infield and got on base - the
first hit of the game (Eric Nielsen had walked in the first).
An overthrow to first brought Diaz to third, showing that this
kid has wheels. Cotuit would strand him at third, but
the mentality of the game swiveled on that pivotal play, and
we all knew who would rock the park that night.
And
rock the park we did with ... back-to-back homers!!!!!
One out, John Hardy up, two-oh count and ... the left fielder
looked up, waved his arms; he had lost the ball. It was
over the fence! It was all tied up at two in the fifth!!
(The first run had been scored by Jeff Baisley on a Clint Sammons
sac fly.) Cotuit fans celebrated, but more was still to come.
Eric Nielsen, who would go one for three, stepped up to
the plate. Pitch one ... ball one. Pitch two ...
the ball soared over the left field fence (and left fielder,
who didn't even try to find this one), mimicking Hardy's.
3-2 Cotuit!!!
Cotuit
would later score two more in the eighth - a C.J. Smith RBI
double and a Jeff Baisley RBI single - but Falmouth almost resurfaced
through defensive breakdowns. A shortstop error in the
ninth allowed the third Falmouth run to score, and
another error to the same position allowed another run and base
runner. But Hardy would get it together and make a 6-3
out to end the game, with Cotuit winning by a final score of
5-4.
Josh
Deel pitched a great 7 1/3 innings with only two hits and eight
strikeouts, but, after hitting two batters, was replaced
by Shawn Valdes-Fauli who was making his debut for the Kettleers.
Valdes-Fauli also allowed only two hits in 1 1/3 innings with
no earned runs to his name.
Falmouth's
Jeff Sues pitched seven innings, allowed five hits and two earned
runs (three runs total). Matt Varner, in only two-thirds
of an inning, allowed two runs on four hits. Kody Quick
pitched a wicked 1 1/3 innings with one strikeout and no
hits.
All-in-all,
it was just another extremely tight, nail-biter night for Cotuit,
proving once again that Cotuit baseball is not for the faint
of heart.
7/28/03
- Cotuit 7, Harwich 6
by
Brett Moldoff
When you think of baseball, one of the most resilient teams
all year has been the Boston Red Sox. If you are not from the
area, you may not be aware of the come-from-behind wins they
seem to manufacture, or the way they come back from tough losses
to win the following day. Well folks, the Cotuit Kettleers are
not much different. There is not a whole lot more frustrating
then losing an extra-inning game, and on July 24th, Cotuit lost
to Chatham 3-2 in 13 innings. They managed to beat Y-D two nights
ago by powering out three homeruns by Blake Gill (2nd), Jeff
Fiorentino (2nd) and C.J. Smith (3rd).
Last night the usual drama took place for the Kettleers at Lowell
Park. Mark Worrell, who looked sharp for Cotuit, pitched 8+
innings giving up three runs. He gave up a solo homerun in the
top of the 3rd inning to Tony Festa and settled down nicely.
In the top of the eighth he gave up back-to-back singles before
being taken out for Geno Espineli. Espineli gave up four runs,
two of which were earned. The Kettleers had lost their 3-1 lead
and were now trailing the Harwich Mariners 5-3. Cotuit cut the
lead to 5-4 on a single by Joel Bocchi. John Axford pitched
the 9th inning and gave up one unearned run on two walks and
two wild pitches.
Harwich brought on their closer Shannon Sprouse, who has a 0.47
ERA in 19 innings (one earned run) to try and close out the
game. After last night's game he now has pitched 19+ innings.
The Kettleers managed to hit five singles and receive a walk
without having anyone be retired. John Hardy (single), Eric
Nielsen (walk), C. J. Smith (single), Blake Gill (single, RBI),
Jeff Baisley (single, RBI), all had set the stage for a bases
loaded situation for Jeff Fiorentino. Harwich brought in an
extra infielder, while losing an outfielder, to try to keep
the ball in the infield, but to no avail. Fiorentino hit a single
to score C. J. Smith, where he was then mobbed by the entire
team as they came rushing to home plate to celebrate the victory
as a team.
Clay Timpner tied the league record with doubles in a game as
he hit three doubles and also bunted for a hit. The Kettleers
showed their speed and aggression, once by Timpner and again
by Jeff Baisley, who stretched singles into doubles. In the
top of the 6th, with one out and runners at first and third
for Harwich, Worrell delivered a pitch that ended up right back
in his glove to his delight and doubled off the runner at first
base to end the threat.
At around 7 o'clock a helicopter flew overhead carrying a filming
team from the Fields of Vision producers of the documentary
now being made about the Cape Cod Baseball League.
7/24/03 - Chatham 3, Cotuit 2 (13 innings)
by
Katie Vieth
Unlike many suspense stories,
it was not a dark and stormy night, but don't let that lead
you to believe the Cotuit v. Chatham game was not nerve-wracking.
Many of the Cotuit faithful stayed through it all, through thirteen
innings of close plays, lots of pitchers, and unfortunate calls.
The
first run of the game was represented by Chatham's Jeff Frazier
in the bottom of the second. Frazier hit it to center
on a 1-2 count. Next up was Zack Dillon who advanced
him to second on a single. A fielder's choice hit by
Brian Fritz eliminated Dillon, but further advanced Frazier,
who scored on a 2-1 single by Zane Green. Cotuit's C.J.
Smith flew to left-center to score Eric Nielsen in the fourth.
After
the end of the fourth, the Kettleers' Paul Lubrano replaced
Michael Hyle for a one-inning stint, and the merry-go-round
of pitchers began. Mark Worrell, Garry Bakker, and Eugene
Espenelli followed, also having one-inning displays.
Luke Hochevar, the last Cotuit pitcher, thankfully lasted
five innings and only gave up two runs on five hits and struck
out six. Chatham used five pitchers: Tim Rice (7 1/3
innings, one hit, one run, one hit batter, five strikeouts),
Neil Jamison (2 1/3 innings, 1 hit, two walks, three
strikeouts), Adam Yates (1 inning, one hit, one run, three
walks, one strikeout), Ross Ohlenforg (1 inning, two walks,
one strikeout), and Nick Tucci (2 innings, one hit, three
strikeouts).
With the score tied at one
in the top of the tenth and the words "late night ahead"
ringing in the crowd's ears, Jeff Baisley bats in Zeke
Parraz on a 3-2 count with two outs. Cotuit fans cheer,
hoping desperately for the end of the game. But this was
not to be the case. Ryan Klosterman would single to allow
Zane Green to score, tying it up again. And so to the
eleventh we went. And twelfth. Until finally, in
the thirteenth, Brian Fritz hits one to left field, scoring
Frazier, a walk-off single.
It was a very long three-hour
game for the Kettleers, and an even longer ride home.
7/23/03
- Bourne 5, Cotuit 0
by
Brett Moldoff
Heading into last night's game, the starting pitcher for
Bourne, Kyle Schmidt, had given up five runs, two of which were
earned, in 35 innings of work. He lowered his 0.51 ERA last
night by throwing 7 shutout innings, and allowing two hits.
The Kettleers had to have been happy to see him not return after
the six innings, because he is one of the best pitchers in the
League. The Braves brought out Tim Grant, who has a 0.65 ERA
in just under 28 innings of work, to complete the game and send
the Kettleers on a 5-0 defeat. The Braves pitching staff is
absolutely phenomenal. They currently have five pitchers with
an ERA under 1.
Donald Brickle got the start for the Kettleers and gave up four
runs in six innings. He gave up one run in each inning from
three through six. Two solo home runs were hit by Bourne in
the 4th and 5th innings by Andrew Toussaint and Sean Dobson
respectively. The Kettleers had two hits in the game - one by
Blake Gill, who broke up the no hitter in the 5th, and the other
by Clay Timpner in the 6th. The last four batters for Cotuit
were struck out by Tim Grant.
The Kettleers committed only one error, and it was on a tough
fly ball that the wind got a hold of. Hyannis also lost last
night, so the Kettleers remain six points behind the Mets for
second place with ten games to play. The Kettleers will have
a break from Lowell Park until after the All-Star break this
weekend. Congratulations to the five Kettleer players who made
the All-Star team. Eric Nielsen, John Hardy, Clint Sammons,
and pitchers Garry Bakker and Josh Deel were the chosen ones.
The Western Division will be coached by Kettleers manager, Garrett
Quinn. The game will be played at Guv Fuller Field in Falmouth
on July 26, first pitch at 6:00
7/19/03
- Cotuit 6, Hyannis 5
by
Katie Vieth
As a pungent cloud smelling faintly
of burned hamburgers slunk from a late-opening snack bar onto
the Sandwich High School field, a special game in Sandwich went
underway. The game was to benefit Sandwich athletics and
other causes that were named by an announcer who no one could
hear. The scoreboard was broken (Cotuit's score was in
the inning spot), the sun blinded players and fans alike (the
Cotuit dugout was, as a player noted, "As hot as a sauna
in there."), and the previously mentioned announcer was
problematic, yet Cotuit led from the start.
Clay
Timpner, the first batter of the game, reached first on a hit
to left field on an 0-1 count. A double and two singles
by John Hardy, Eric Nielsen, and Jeff Baisley respectively followed
in the next three lineup spots. Cotuit ended that spectacular
first inning by going through eight batters, scoring three,
leaving one, and getting five hits. Not to be outdone,
Hyannis scored two runs on two hits in the bottom of that very
same inning. The battle waged close, but not once in the
game did Hyannis outscore Cotuit, leaving Cotuit to win 6 (with
14 hits and 10 left on) to 5 (with 8 hits and 9 left on).
Cotuit's Eric Nielsen, going 2-for-4 and later named the game's
MVP, had 4 RBIs (single in the first, scoring two; double up
the third base line in the fourth, scoring two), while Jeff
Baisley (single in the first, scoring one) and Joe Wickman (sac
fly in the seventh, scoring one) each had one RBI.
Hyannis's
RBIs were given one each to Sam Fuld (single in the seventh),
Jonathan Tucker (triple in the first), Ben Harrison (sac fly
in the first), Richard Mercado (sac fly in the sixth), and Justin
Tordi (grounder in the eighth). Paul Lubrano held Hyannis
to 4 runs until his exit in the seventh, and was then
replaced by Kevin Brower (who allowed the last run), Donald
Brickle, and Luke Hochevar, all of whom had one-inning stints.
The duo of Hyannis pitchers consisting of Jon Lewis (allowed
6 runs in 7 2/3 innings) and A.J. McCauley (allowed no runs
in 1 1/3 innings) pitched bravely, but were no match for the
Cotuit hitters.
Though,
as previously mentioned, Eric Nielsen was the game's MVP, the
top play belonged to Jeff Fiorentino. It was the bottom
of the sixth, two out, one man on third, the tying run being
represented by Donny Lucy (who went 0-4) at the plate.
The count was 0-1. Lucy slammed it hard to right field, and
the Cotuit fans let out a collective moan. The situation
looked bleak. Richard Mercado, the man on third, was halfway
home when Jeff Fiorentino shot up his 6'1" frame into the
night air and preformed an absolutely gorgeous over-the-shoulder
catch. He, upon landing, hit the ground hard, but came
up with the ball, ending the inning and keeping what would later
become the tying run from scoring. What a night for baseball.
7/14/03
- Cotuit 2, Falmouth 1
by
Brett Moldoff
For back to back games, Blake Gill was at the plate for the
winning at bat. Two nights ago against Hyannis, Gill hit a walk-off
homerun. Last night in the bottom of the eighth inning, Gill
simply stood at the plate with two outs and runners at second
and third. A wild pitch by Jensen Lewis, scored Jeff Fiorentino,
who pinch ran for Joe Wickman, to give the Kettleers the 2-1
lead. Newcomer Luke Hochevar, pitching in his second game and
second inning of the season, struck out two and allowed no hits
in the bottom of the 9th to record his first save. Eugene Espineli
also pitched a shutout inning in the top of the 8th.
Jeff Baisley had two singles, while Clint Sammons had two doubles.
Sammons got credit for his first double of the game in the first
inning. A run had scored for Falmouth by the events of a wild
pitch to advance a runner to third and then a sacrifice fly
by Darryl Lawhorn. There was a major play in the top of the
6th inning. With a runner at third and Falmouth at the plate,
a pitch got behind Sammons at the plate, but he threw to Josh
Deel (the pitcher) at home to tag out the base stealer. This
preserved the tie for the Kettleers.
The Kettleers have won their last four of five games at Lowell
Park. Their one loss was when they gave up one hit to Hyannis
in a 1-0 showdown.
7/12/03 - Cotuit 8, Hyannis 7
by
Brett Moldoff
The
Kettleers are losing 3-0 and it's just the top of the first
inning. Oh no, we are in for a long night. This 3 hour 16 minute
roller coaster ride ended right before darkness with a bang.
Paul Lubrano pitched 6 2/3 innings while giving up all three
of his earned runs in the first inning. He settled down nicely
before handing over the pitching duties to Garry Bakker, Geno
Espineli, and finally Michael Hyle.
Cotuit managed to get Lubrano off the hook when they came across
with four runs in the bottom of the third inning. Joel Bocchi
led off the inning with a double, starting as catcher, while
his counterpart Clint Sammons was the first basemen. Sammons
got in the action in the same inning as he singled to drive
home two runs. There was also a double steal to score a run,
and an error that allowed a Kettleer to cross the plate. The
Kettleers added an insurance run in the top of the 6th on a
sacrifice fly.
With the Kettleers leading 7-3 heading into the top of the 9th
inning and the darkness setting in, Cotuit wanted to end it
quickly, but Hyannis had different ideas. Geno Espineli came
in to try to close the game but the defense behind him didn't
come through. Two errors and a walk were how the first three
batters reached base, cutting the lead to 7-4. A sacrifice fly,
walk, and a single scored the next run. Michael Hyle came
in to relieve the pressure and gave up two unearned runs, while
striking out Mike Athas with the bases loaded. 7-7 was the score
and Cotuit was stunned, while the large Hyannis crowd was applauding
the four run deficit that was now erased.
Hyannis had to get Cotuit out quickly because this last half
inning would be the last of the night (unofficially) because
the ball clearly was getting harder to see. If the inning was
not finished, Hyannis's top of the 9th would not have counted
and Cotuit would get the victory. Hyannis brought in their closer,
Austin Tubb, the best closer in the League, who has not allowed
an earned run, to try and make quick work of the Kettleers.
Eric Nielsen struck out swinging, and Jeff Baisley grounded
out to the shortstop for the second out. Blake Gill was the
Kettleers final hope to keep the inning alive. He must have
known that there wasn't much more baseball left in the night,
so he drove a fastball to deep center field over the fence to
end the game in dramatic fashion.
7/5/03
- Hyannis 1, Cotuit 0
by
Brett Moldoff
There are not too many times when a team will allow one hit
and lose the ball game. Unfortunately for the Kettleers, they
managed to find a way. Josh Deel, who was perfect for the Kettleers
through six innings, had shut down the Hyannis Mets in front
of 1300 fans, which was the largest crowd of the season at Lowell
Park so far. Deel finished by pitching seven innings with 10
strikeouts, one single and a costly error that led to an unearned
run. The starter for Hyannis was equally impressive, going six
innings with two hits and no runs.
An error by Zeke Parraz at second base led off the game but
ended up being irrelevant to the outcome. For Hyannis, that
was the closest they got to a hit until Jonathan Tucker hit
a line drive to center to start off the 7th inning. The next
batter, Ben Harrison, beat out a double play as the Kettleers
tried to go "around the horn" by completing the 5-4-3
put-out but it was not in time. Harrison then stole second base
while Ryan Baty was at the plate. Baty hit a hard drive back
to Deel that he could not field cleanly. Deel retrieved the
ball on the side of the mound and threw wildly to first base
allowing Harrison at second to come around and score what became
the winning run.
Joe Little and Eugene Espineli pitched the 8th and 9th inning
respectively, giving up two walks combined. On a side note,
if you were feeling déjà vu during the top of the 5th inning,
no need to worry. Both the top of the second and fifth inning
had Ryan Baty striking out, Ryan Mercado grounding out to second,
and then Brian Hall striking out. The first two batters were
put out with the same number of pitches as the previous time
at the plate, and Hall saw an extra pitch before he was sent
back to the dugout.
Austin Tubb, the Hyannis Mets closer, recorded his league leading
7th save by pitching a perfect 9th. Even though the Josh Deel
made the error, the scoring still goes down as unearned even
though it was his mistake.
7/3/03
- Cotuit 4, Orleans 0
by Brett Moldoff
The Kettleers pitching staff over the past four games has been
phenomenal. They have not given up a run in their last two home
games at Lowell Park. In their last two away games, a total
of 3 runs have been scored against this staff. Unlike last Monday
when Garry Bakker went the complete game for the shutout, last
night's effort took three Kettleers to shut down the offense
of the Orleans Cardinals. Michael Hyle pitched three innings
giving up just a single. Joe Little went two innings while allowing
no hits, and Eugene Espineli finished off the shutout by giving
up 3 harmless hits.
The Kettleers scored the only runs they needed in the bottom
of the 4th inning on a two run home run by Eric Nielsen, his
first of the year. The home run was allowed by starting pitcher
Jesse Estrada who took the loss and is now 0-3 on the young
season. The Kettleers scored runs 3 and 4 during the bottom
of the eighth inning. Blake Gill walked, and Jeff Baisley hit
a single to advance Gill to third. Then a double steal, which
seems to be a part of every game for the Kettleers took place.
There was a and a wild throw by the shortstop to home
plate that scored Gill and advanced Baisley to third. Jeff Fiorentino
(2 for 4) hit his second double of the game to record his 4th
RBI on the season.
As long as the hitting keeps coming from the Kettleers and the
defense plays errorless as they did last night, the pitchers
can relax while they are on the mound. In the top of the 9th
inning with one out and a runner at first base, Blake Gill made
a diving catch. This play was important because the next batter,
Clay Harris, singled and would have brought the tying run to
the plate. Cotuit was near the bottom in pitching a few days
ago, but with the way they have been throwing, the ERA is lowering
and they are climbing closer to the top. More importantly, Wareham
loss last night, and the Hyannis game was postponed. This means
the Kettleers (18 points) are 9-9 and trail Hyannis (19 points)
who are 9-7-1 for second place but have played one less game
than Cotuit.
6/30/03
- Cotuit 5, Wareham 0
by Brett Moldoff
Garry
Bakker quietly and skillfully shut down the Wareham Gatemen,
finishing with a complete game shutout. The Kettleers backed
up his brilliant performance by scoring five runs, two in the
4th and three in the 5th. Bakker gave up only four hits (all
singles), but no more then one hit per inning. Unofficially,
only one Gateman reached third base and that occurred during
the top of the seventh inning with two outs. The limited opportunities
presented to the Gatemen gave Bakker the confidence and poise
to pitch his game without having to worry about base runners.
The Kettleers scored two runs in the 4th. With one out, Blake
Gill hit a single to center. A single by Nielsen and a stolen
base put runners at second and third. Joel Bocchi came through
with a double to record his first two RBI of the season. The
two runs were all Bakker needed, but Cotuit scored three more
the following inning. The bottom of the 5th was full of mistakes
by Wareham. They ended up with three wild pitches, one hit batsman,
and one passed ball to help out the Kettleers. John Hardy, Blake
Gill and Eric Nielsen all got hits, while C.J. Smith and Clint
Sammons walked, keeping runners on the bases for Cotuit. Gill
and Nielsen got credit for the two RBI's in the inning, as Gill
first advanced to third on a passed ball, then scored on a wild
pitch, both while Smith was batting.
Jeff Baisley was ejected in the bottom of the seventh inning
after arguing a called third strike. He finished off the day
by going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts, a day after hitting an
important two run home run against Brewster. Garry Baker lowered
his team leading ERA from 1.50 to 0.86 by giving up two earned
runs in twenty-one innings pitched. The Kettleers currently
do not have any pitchers in the top ten in pitching, while the
Bourne Braves have four. Bakker may be the first Kettleer to
crack the top ten shortly. Blake Gill's bat is coming around
as he went 4 for 4 with two runs scored. The Kettleers are now
6-9 and starting to put things together.
6/29/03
- Cotuit 10, Brewster 9
by
Brett Moldoff
The
fans
who
left Lowell Park after Taylor Cobb went 2/3 of an inning and Joe
Little took over to hold the deficit to 7-0 by the bottom of the
second, probably wouldn't believe the drama that took place on
the field last night. It was heart, soul, and a stunningly close
call by the home plate umpire that propelled the Kettleers
to victory. Joe Little was the savior for the Kettleers as he
came on in relief and pitched 7 2/3 of the game (almost acting
as a starter) to pick up his first win of the season. After Cotuit
scored a run in the second, and Brewster answered with another
run in the 4th to make the score 8-1, it was obvious the game
was out of reach, or so some people thought. Thankfully the Kettleers
did not believe that, nor did Ivan Partridge, who repeated his
customary cry, "have a hit."
The Kettleers did just that
and did it often.
In the bottom of the 4th, the magic of Lowell Park evolved.
Five hits and a double steal cut the lead to 8-5. It started off
with a double by Blake Gill, and the hits kept coming. Nielsen,
Wickman, and Parraz joined in on the parade. The Kettleers were
not done yet, as they struck again in the bottom of the 6th inning
to take the lead. A strikeout and a walk started off the inning.
The tempo changed quickly with a routine ball hit to the pitcher.
With a runner at first, Clay Timpner hit the ball back to the
mound,
but a wild throw to first by the starting pitcher Ricky Bauer,
allowed a run to score and Timpner ended up at third base. John
Hardy, who went 4 for 5 with 3 RBI, drove home Timpner on a single
to left. Trailing 8-7 with two outs, Jeff Baisley hit a towering
two run homer, to bring the Kettleer faithful to their feet,
now leading 9-8.
The Kettleers put up an insurance run in the bottom of the 7th,
which proved to be the winning run
that came when a double by Nielsen
was followed by a fielder's choice and a single by Clint
Sammons. Sammons, who got credit for the last RBI for Cotuit,
was heard from again later on in the game. With one runner on
and one out, Eugene Espineli came on in the 8th inning to retire
the side. In
the top of the 9th tempers began to flare,
and the feeling of blowing a game was permeating
the Brewster
dugout. Aaron Hathaway and Ryan Patterson walked
and singled
respectively to start the inning. A fly out to left gave the Whitecaps
two outs remaining. Then
came the key play of the night. Ben Crabtree hit a double
to right field that was tracked down on a few hops and bobbled
by Fiorentino. Hathway scored easily, and Patterson was heading
home to tie the game. Fiorentino threw a cannon home to Sammons
who did a nice job of blocking the plate and tagging out Patterson
to preserve the one run lead. The coach of the Whitecaps, along
with the entire bench stormed out onto the field in an uproar.
The Whitecap's players were ordered back into their dugouts fuming
and angry. The play at the plate was one where instant replay
would have been helpful, even though it obviously would not have
been used. A routine grounder ended the game, but the game itself
was anything but routine. The Kettleers had come back from seven
runs, to take the win. I am sure it was not "you" who
said the Kettleers were going to lose last night, because we all
know anything can happen at "Our little paradise above Cotuit
Bay."
6/27/03
- Wareham 7, Cotuit 2
by
Brett Moldoff
"I can't stand that song anymore!", shouted Coach
Quinn, after the infamous PA announcer randomly chose to play
"song 7" during the 4th inning. The songs "shuffle"
prior to game time, and it just so happened that "song
7" played a few more times than the others. It was "I
Am the Greatest," by Kenny Rogers. Then, in the fourth
inning, when the opportunity arose for a musical interlude,
again the same song bellowed through the speakers. Going by
Coach Quinn's reaction, I realized "I Am Not the Greatest
DJ."
Sad to say, that may have been the most intense moment of last
night's game for the Kettleers. Coach Quinn has to be wondering,
why on some nights can his team score 11 runs (vs. Falmouth),
and then have games like last night's and struggle to score
two runs. Cotuit fell behind early again, as they trailed 2-0
after the first inning. The Kettleers scored a run in the 3rd
when Joel Bocchi led off the inning with a double. Joel pumped
his fist as he rounded first base, to a loud cheer, as he got
his first hit of the year. Zeke Parraz came through with a hit
to score Bocchi, but Parraz was thrown out trying to extend
his hit to a double.
The ballgame became out of reach when Andy Laroche hit a 3 run
homerun off Tim Layden. C.J Smith gave the Kettleers their second
run on a double in the 9th to score Jeff Baisley, but that made
the score 7-2 and too much of a deficit to overcome. Michael
Hyle of the Kettleers got the start, and he was followed by
Josh Deel, Layden, and then Eugene Espineli. Jeremy Sowers (Vanderbilt)
was credited with the win to go to 2-1 on the season.
6/26/03
- Chatham 7, Cotuit 2
by
Brett Moldoff
Even
though the outcome of the game was not how the Cotuit Kettleers
would have liked it to end, there are still a few positives they
can gain from their latest 7-2 loss to the Chatham A's. Last night's
game was a make-up game from last Saturday night's postponement.
When that game was called after only a few innings of play, Chatham
was leading 2-0. Of course, since it was not an official game
those runs were not taken into account. However, Chatham scored
the first two runs of the game last night on a two run homer by
Tim Layden in the top of the second. Giving up that homerun was
starting pitcher Joe Little, who is now 0-1 on the season after
taking the loss.
In the bottom of the second, 2 singles and a stolen base scored
C.J. Smith. Nielsen picked up the RBI, to cut the lead to 2-1.
Unfortunately it was all Chatham the rest of the way, as they
put 2 more runs on the board in the 3rd and the 5th, and one more
in the latter part of the game. Jeff Fiorentino hit the first
Kettleers home run of the season the previous game against Falmouth,
and last night C.J Smith hit a towering shot that ended up in
the bushes as well.
For the Kettleers, as well as most teams, it is difficult to have
a solid pitching and hitting performance combined in a game early
on in the season, but this team has shown flashes of both. Even
though they are currently sitting in last place in the Western
Division, a small win streak and this team is right back in the
race.
Head Coach Garret Quinn was ejected from last night's ball game
after Jeff Fiorentino was called out on strikes on very close
pitches to say the least. Home plate umpire Tony Gisandi felt
as though Coach Quinn was arguing too much with his calls. The
coach argued that he did not say anything, and after a heated
confrontation, the coach had to leave to a stunned crowd. The
previous inning, the head coach of Chatham was called out of his
dugout by Gisandi for acting the same way, but he was warned and
remained in the game.
Tim Layden and Kevin Brower also pitched for the Kettleers last
night and played pretty well. Brower, who is the only member of
the Kettleers who lives in Massachusetts, resides in Middleboro.
Tim Lahey (Princeton), who resides in Worcester is one of 3 Massachusetts
players on the Chatham A's roster. The other two are Jason Delaney
(Boston College) from Hanson, and Nick Tucci (Uconn) from Medford.
6/25/03 - Cotuit 11, Falmouth 4
by
Brett Moldoff
On
a hot humid night at the park, the Kettleers put on a hitting
clinic for the Lowell Park crowd of 833. When it was all said
and done, Cotuit had powered out eleven runs, nine of which
came with two outs, while giving up only four runs to Falmouth.
Mark Worrell, now 2-0, went 5 2/3 of an inning, giving up one
run, four hits on eleven fly balls, two ground outs, three strikeouts
(all in the 5th inning), and three walks.
The Kettleers have been making some sensational plays in the
field this entire season and this game was no exception. The
defensive gem of the night belonged to Jeff Fiorentino, who
received a long standing ovation, one of two on the night, after
he tracked down a low line drive in right-center field that
surely was going to drop in had he not fully extended and added
grass stains to his pants.
The Kettleers did not wait long to start the hitting parade
as they batted around the order in the bottom of the second
inning to put a five on the scoreboard. Nine of the eleven runs
scored by Cotuit came with two outs. Eric Nielsen drove home
the first run of the game, followed by two each from Clay Timpner
and John Hardy.
Five innings after Fiorentino made the spectacular play in right,
he came through again but this time with his bat. With no outs,
he welcomed the new Commodore pitcher Jenson Lewis by hitting
his first home run of the season, along with the first one for
the Kettleers as a team, to right field. In the next half inning,
Falmouth's Joey Metropoulos came through with a home run of
his own against reliever Taylor Cobb to cut the lead to 11-4.
Cotuit's defense kept the score the way it was when Brent Johnson
hit a single to Timpner in center, who made a terrific throw
home to Sammons to tag out Jeremy Slayden at the plate. Six
different Cotuit Kettleers increased their RBI total in last
night's game, and everyone who played contributed to make this
a team win.
6/23/03 - Cotuit 4, Y-D 3
by Brett Moldoff
The
Cotuit Kettleers played last night's game with aggression and
speed, and after two failed attempts, the third was a charm. The
Kettleers had waited since the 17th to play an official game at
home due to a rain postponement of the Chatham A's game on the
21st. This game had hustle, close plays, and a dramatic finish.
In other words, it was pretty much a usual night at Lowell Park.
Paul Lubrano gave
up 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings against the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
After getting in a jam in the 5th, Coach Quinn had Josh Deel
come in for relief, and he did well getting out of the jam without
allowing a run. Deel also pitched the 7th inning, giving up
just one run on a walk by Trevor Crowe and, two batters later,
a double by Hyung Cho. Three walks in a row with two outs knocked
Y-D's starting pitcher Sam Graham out of the game in 3 2/3 innings.
He was replaced by Justin Keadle, who gave up a single to Jeff
Fiorentino, allowing Joe Wickman and Clint Sammons to score.
The Kettleers led
2-0 in the bottom of the 5th, when their first of two tries
at gaining an extra base failed. C J Smith hit a line drive
to the gap in right field, but a perfect relay got Smith out
trying for a triple. Yarmouth-Dennis, one of the leading teams
in the eastern division, kept plugging away all night. In the
top of the 6th, Hyung Cho, Rob Johnson, and Wes Whisler hit
three singles in a row to score a run and erase the one run
deficit. Y-D came up in the top of the 7th to put another run
on the board to take the lead 3-2. Unfortunately for Y-D, when
they scored, Cotuit followed in the next inning just as they
had done in the 4th. A single and a stolen base got the Kettleers
in good position with one out. A first and third situation arose
when Marshall Szabo could not hold on to a hard grounder. Thanks
to a Y-D passed ball, John Hardy scored to even it back up and
set the stage for a dramatic finish. Y-D had first and second
after newcomer Tim Layden failed to record an out. Kevin Brower
came on and after striking out the first batter and intentionally
walking the next to load the bases, the next play required perfect
execution to work. It was not a play that was as easy as a 1-2-3,
but that is the way it went down in the books, as Brower to
Sammons at home, to C J Smith, completed the double play to
end the inning.
The bottom of the
8th brought part two of giving it your all, but reaching the
bag a tad late, or so the umpire said. Jeff Baisley started
off the inning by trying to leg out a double but was called
out on a close play. Both this play and the C J Smith triple
effort in the 5th brought out a tirade of boos from the Lowell
Park crowd as they, acting as umpires, disagreed with the call.
In the top of the 9th Trevor Crowe, who singled and later advanced
via the bunt, tried to steal third, but was thrown out by the
strong throwing arm of Cotuit Kettleer Clint Sammons.
The bottom of the 9th seemed to take
as long as the first 8 innings combined. It was 8:15, the score
3-3, and the sun was fading away just slowly enough to give
the Kettleers time to beat one of the best teams in the League.
The fans knew this was probably the last inning due to the darkness,
and they rose to their feet in anticipation. Clay Timpner, who
came in for Zeke Parraz earlier in the game, led off the inning
by hitting a double to right field. Jeff Fiorentino hit a bloop
single over the third baseman's head to make it first and third
with no outs. The next few minutes seemed like an hour after
Y-D changed their pitcher and had multiple discussions on strategy.
John Hardy came up and struck out, leaving the Kettleers with
two outs to go. Eric Nielsen came to the plate and waited for
his pitch. A few pitches later, Coach Quinn had waited long
enough, and he did what other teams had done to his ball club
this season and put on the double steal. Fiorentino, the unimportant
runner at first, ran to second, while Timpner rushed to the
plate. The catcher, Nick Hundley, fired the ball to what looked
like second base, but was cut off by the pitcher who would have
fired home to possibly tag out Timpner, except ... he dropped
the ball. Timpner rushed home to a roar of the crowd, and the
heads-up base running paid off. After a couple of rain postponements
and a long Monday evening game, it was all cheers for the a
hard fought victory at Lowell Park. The Kettleers are now in
the midst of playing fourteen games in a row, with plenty more
excitement to come. Cotuit will host Chatham in a make-up game
on Thursday June 26th, sandwiched between two other home games
against Falmouth and Wareham.
6/17/03 - Cotuit 4, Harwich 3
by Brett Moldoff
Coming off their first victory of the early season against the
defending champion Wareham Gatemen, the Public Address announcer
(yours truly) was overly excited, and five minutes too early,
told Beverly Donheiser to start singing the National Anthem, even
though the players were not even at their respective positions.
It was a beautiful night with a slight ocean breeze, and I did
not want to wait another minute before the Kettleers went for
back-to-back wins.
Mark
Worrell (Arizona), the starting pitcher for the home team pitched
5+ innings giving up 3 hits, including a solo home run to Steven
Van Note. Cotuit did not wait long to strike back as they crossed
home plate two times in the bottom of the 3rd before Harwich
had recorded an out. Joe Wickman and Clint Sammons hit back
to back singles to lead off the inning. After an error in the
field, Wickman scored and Sammons advanced to third on a bunt
by Zeke Parraz. Clay Timpner then hit a short fly to left, but
the running Chuck Akers could not collect the ball allowing
Sammons to score and Timpner to record an RBI as no error was
charged on the play.
Leading
2-1 in the bottom of the 5th inning, the Kettleers decided to
reenact what happened in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Wickman
and Sammons hit back to back singles again to center field to
put runners at first and second. Parraz squared to bunt and
pulled back, drawing the third baseman in on the grass. Wickman
made a quick decision and took off for third base since the
third basemen was so close to the plate and no throw was even
made to 3rd. Parraz had done his job by faking the bunt, but
he was not through with his at bat. He then slapped a single
to left to score Wickman and make the score 3-1.
The
Kettleers waited for their next time up at the plate to score
what might have been an insurance run, but ended up being the
winning run of a nail biter. A walk, a fly out, and a single
knocked starting pitcher Colby Paxton (Auburn University) out
of the game going 5 1/3 innings. A diving catch by the centerfielder
Trent Weathers off the bat of Cotuit Kettleer Joe Wickman kept
the game at 3-1 until Clint Sammons came to the plate as the
next batter. Sammons recorded an RBI when he hit a single to
score CJ Smith.
Unfortunately
for Cotuit and not to their surprise, Harwich made an excellent
comeback in the eighth and ninth innings. With one down, Mark
Reynolds and Brad McCann came through with a single and a double
respectively to cut the lead to 4-2. A single by Tony Festa
made the score 4-3. At the bottom of the 9th Harwich was within
90 feet of tying the game. With one out, there was a single
and a batter who was hit by a pitch (HBP) to put runners on
first and second. Clint Sammons tried to pick off the runner
at first from his catcher position but the ball went into the
outfield advancing the runners a base. Coach Garrett Quinn decided
to load the bases by an intentional walk, forcing an out at
every base and it paid off. Brad McCann hit a ground ball to
John Hardy who flipped to Zeke Parraz to end the game.
As
we all know, it's not over until the music plays, and I am in
charge of having the baseball songs play throughout the field
after the final out. If I have the power to start the game a
few minutes early by telling the National Anthem soloist to
begin (by accident), maybe next time I'll push play sooner so
the Kettleers won't have to worry about a dramatic 9th anymore.
6/15/03
- Hyannis 2 @ Cotuit 1
by Brett Moldoff
