By Courtney Swift
Kettleers Lead Writer
June 27, 2012
COTUIT – It’s been a season of ups and downs for the Kettleers, and it seems that every other game results in a win or blowout loss. Just as Cotuit won their most recent game Sunday, it seemed as if the team could count on a loss Wednesday and the season continued with its so-called predictability as Cotuit fell 9-2 to the Falmouth Commodores at Lowell Park.
T.J. Pecoraro (Vanderbilt) got the start for the Kettleers looking to build off of his debut. He threw a solid first inning retiring the first three batters, but the second inning was tougher. After giving up a single to start the inning he gave up a two-run homer to Jake Rodriguez (Oregon State) to give Falmouth the early lead. “He did not have rhythm today,” said Coach Mike Roberts. “I decided since we have ten games in a row starting on Friday that I’d let him throw all of his pitches and get him out.” Pecoraro gave up a solo shot to Falmouth’s lead off hitter Jared King (Kansas State) in the third and allowed three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and one walk on the night.
Tony Kemp (Vanderbilt) doubles to left center. Photo by Mike Buccino.
Cotuit did score twice in the fifth after Jacob Valdez (San Jose State) reached on an error and Tony Kemp (Vanderbilt) doubled to left center. Both hitters would score on sacrifice hits by Raph Rhymes (LSU) and Derek Smith (U. Pitt Bradford) bringing the score to 5-2. The Kettleers didn’t score any more runs, but Falmouth added four more of their own including another two-run shot in the sixth by Brad Fieger (U. of Miami).
“We’ve got to figure out a way to keep the ball in the ballpark,” Roberts said. “I’ve never seen the ball fly this way. There’s more homeruns hit already this year than I think probably were hit in the entire season last year.” While Falmouth hitting was sending the ball out of the park, its pitching held Cotuit to just six hits with seven strikeouts.
The Kettleers have been without one key player and power bat in first basemen Tim Kiene (Maryland) after injuring his hand. “He’s getting some physical therapy,” said Roberts. “There’s nothing major wrong we don’t think but having him out of the lineup, in the middle of the lineup has definitely made a difference. We don’t have anybody that can come off the bench and give us Tim’s bat.“ Roberts is unsure when Kiene will be back playing, but mentioned he could start practicing as early as Friday.
The Kettleers fall to 5-6 on the season and have their third off day of the week Thursday. The team returns to action against Harwich Friday with righty Kyle Finnegan (Texas State) on the mound. Tuesday night’s rainout will be made up Monday July 2 at 5 p.m. at Lowell Park. To see more post game interviews, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialKettleers?feature=watch.