By Courtney Swift
Kettleers Lead Writer
June 15, 2012
Dan Slania (Notre Dame). Photo by Michael Buccino
CHATHAM—It was great pitching and small ball for a second straight night that led Cotuit to its second win of the season. The Kettleers beat the Chatham Anglers 3-0 on the road Friday.
New faces saw starting action including Patrick Biondi (Michigan), Adam Nebulowich (Washington St.) and Billy Bereszniewicz (Binghamton). It’s a new team and my first game, there’s always nerves,” Nebulowich said. “You gotta go one at bat at a time and can’t get down after getting out. You just gotta bat.”
Nelubowich got things started for the Kettleers in the second with a base hit to right field with one out putting him on base for the catcher Aramis Garcia (Florida International). Nelubowich later stole second putting him in scoring position, and came around to score on Garcia’s RBI single.
Southpaw Adam McCreery (Arizona State) got the start in game two for Cotuit facing off against Chatham’s Kurt Schluter (Stetson). The 6’9” lefty was dominant on the mound shutting down nine of the fifteen batters he faced. “The most he pitched at school was three innings,” Coach Mike Roberts said. “So I was extremely pleased for him to go out there and throw four and a third.” McCreery gave up just two hits while walking one. “When guys throw strikes, it’s easy to play defense,” Nebulowich said. “We didn’t have much action in the field to worry about.”
Ryan Connolly (Coastal Carolina) came in for McCreery in the fifth throwing three shutout innings while giving up two hits and striking out four. James Mannara (Florida Tech) came in for one third of an inning before the closer Dan Slania (Notre Dame), but it was Connolly who picked up the win for Cotuit.
Slania, who got out of a one out, bases loaded jam in the eighth inning of opening day, got out of another tense eighth inning with two runners on preserving the Kettleers’ 1-0 lead. The Kettleers pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts on the night.
Galli Cribbs Jr. (San Jacinto College) gave Slania some breathing room in the top of the ninth when he was hit by a pitch. Cribbs then pulled Chatham shortstop Alex Chittenden (Louisville) out of his position on a steal to second allowing the batter, Biondi’s single to left field. “When you run, lots of things can happen,” Roberts said. “We try and teach base running here.”
Cribbs Jr. scored all the way from first on Biondi’s single. Biondi was able to score as well after two overthrows to the catcher and then second basemen giving Cotuit the 3-0 lead in the top of the ninth. “It was fresh in my head, Cribbs Jr. said. “We practiced that play for 20 or 30 minutes in practice.”
The practice paid off, and Slania had an easy ninth. He forced a ground out and got two strikeouts to finish off the Anglers for the win. “He has the experience in that role,” Roberts said. “It’s hard to find someone so experienced in that closing role.” Cotuit is away again Saturday facing Bourne at 6 p.m. at Doran Park.