By Courtney Swift
Kettleers Media Intern
July 10, 2012
“I’m just trying to throw strikes and get quick innings to keep the pitch count down,” Cam Griffin (Stetson). / Photo by Joe Cavanaugh
YARMOUTH - Outstanding pitching combined with an explosive offense led Cotuit to a 10-0 shutout over the Y-D Red Sox Tuesday. Led by hot hitters Daniel Aldrich (College of Charleston) and James Roberts (USC), the Kettleers combined for 16 hits to blowout out the Red Sox.
It seemed like the start of a pitcher’s duel when there was no score through two innings. However, Cotuit got on the board after a single to right field by Jacob May (Coastal Carolina) that scored Angel Rosa (Alcorn State) to give the Kettleers at 1-0 lead. May went 2-6 on the night and extended his hit streak to 15 games.
The Kettleers continued their charge in the fourth batting through the order and scoring five more runs to bring their lead to six. Tony Kemp (Vanderbilt) hit a two run double, and Roberts later added a two run single of his own. Aldrich hit his fourth home run in five games with Cotuit. His bomb over the centerfield fence put the score at 8-0. “Just one of those things where everybody’s starting to click at the right time,” pitching coach Alex Gett said. “You know we’re hitting the ball pretty good.” The Kettleers added two more on the night in the seventh to solidify their 10-0 lead.
After throwing from the bullpen all season, Cameron Griffin (Stetson) made his first start for Kettleers. “Cam had pretty much the freshest arm on the staff,” Gett said. “We’re confident in him, so we decided he’d have no problem starting.” Griffin threw four innings while giving up just two hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
Jordan Ramsey (UNC Wilmington) was originally slated to start, but Griffin was given the chance after Ramsey was hit in his pitching hand. “I’m just trying to throw strikes and get quick innings to keep the pitch count down,” Griffin said. “I’m not used to going the extended amount of time with starting.”
Strong pitching continued with Joe Broussard (LSU) / Photo by Joe Cavanaugh
The strong pitching continued throughout the game as Joe Broussard (LSU), Ryan Connolly (Coastal Carolina), and Dan Slania (Notre Dame) threw the last five innings allowing just one hit combined and striking out nine. “I just think that our talent is really coming out playing as a team,” said Kemp. “This team’s starting to play with confidence and put Ws on he board. The resiliency from this team is never going to go away.”
Cotuit moves to 12-10 on the season and still sits alone in second place in the Western Division. The Kettleers have another off day Wednesday as position players travel to Fenway Park for a special workout. The day provides an opportunity for players to perform in front of many scouts in attendance. The team will participate in exercises such as batting practice, a timed 60-yard dash and more. Ramsey looks to make the start for the Kettleers Thursday as they face off against division rival Bourne (7-15) at 6 p.m.