By Courtney Swift
Kettleers Media Intern
August 6, 2012
BREWSTER – Cotuit made costly base running errors Sunday as they lost to Brewster 3-2. Despite some defensive web gems and solid relief pitching, Cotuit couldn’t climb back from a 3-0 early deficit.
The most crucial base running error came in the sixth. Derek Smith (Pitt Bradford) reached on an error in the sixth, but was caught stealing after a ball didn’t trickle far enough away from Brewster’s catcher. Smith was out at second for the second out of the inning.
One batter later, the team’s positional MVP, Patrick Biondi (Michigan) doubled to center field. The hit could have scored Smith from first. “Tonight’s one of the games over the last month where we didn’t give away, but we also didn’t give ourselves a chance to get back in it because of a couple base running mistakes,” coach Mike Roberts said. “When you get in one run games, it’s still the little things that make a difference.”
With just two games left in the regular season, the Kettleers are being cautious with pitching. Dusty Isaacs (Georgia Tech) got the start, but threw just one inning when he gave up a run in the first and threw around 30 pitches. “There was no way I was going to let him go 50 pitches even if he pitched two innings,” Roberts said. “I just made the decision, let’s get him out early.” Isaacs gave up one run on one hit with two walks and a strikeout.
Zach Bargeron (West Virginia) was sent in to relieve Isaacs, and had a stellar outing for the Kettleers. A recent pickup for the Cotuit, he threw just 1/3 of an inning in his first outing against Wareham giving up two runs. “My first outing I was a little nervous,” he said. “I just didn’t have any control of anything.”
But after a few days to calm the nerves, Bargeron threw six solid innings in relief against the Whitecaps. He gave up two runs on seven hits with no walks and four strikeouts in his outing. “The hitters are a lot better,” Bargeron said of the Cape League. “Here every single batter is a good hitter.” Bargeron played for the Front Royal Cardinals of the Valley League before making his way to Cape Cod.
“I was just really impressed with Zach,” Roberts said of the recent pitching addition. “You know wind’s blowing dead out, big strong right handed hitters in the lineup, I just thought he did a fantastic job.”
Despite the loss, the Kettleers (28-14) have clinched the number one overall seed for the 2012 regular season. Eastern Division leaders Harwich (25-16) lost to Chatham (19-21) Sunday solidifying Cotuit’s home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Hyannis has officially been knocked out, so Cotuit will not see lefty Sean Manaea (Indiana State), but the team still awaits their first round opponents.
Cotuit plays its last two games of the season home and away against Falmouth (21-21). Monday’s home game begins at 4:30 at Lowell Park, and Tuesday’s away game, at 6:30 p.m. For more post game interviews, visit Official Kettleers on YouTube.