Cotuit Remains Deadlocked with Falmouth & Hyannis in 2nd Place

Kettleers Fall to 1-2-1 with 4-2 Loss to Hyannis Mets

June 19, 2005

By Megan Kerr, Asst. Web Editor

MCKEON PARK, HYANNIS - Nathan Culp (Missouri) gave the Kettleers five strong innings, striking out six and not allowing a single run, and Shane Jordan (Stetson) supplied two RBI, but their efforts were for naught as the Kettleers lost to the Hyannis Mets, 4-2.

   The Kettleers led the Mets one to nothing up until the seventh inning, where the dormant Mets attack finally came to life, scoring all four runs of their runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.  What had been a pitching duel, quickly changed as the Cotuit pitchers lost their control, and the coach of the Kettleers MikeRoberts was forced to use four pitchers in the seventh inning alone.  Though Cotuit would refuse to quit, they were unable to make up the deficit and could not build off of the victory against Falmouth from the day before. 
  Cotuit struck first in the top of the third inning when they were able to get a run off of Stephen Perry (Florida State, 4 Ks, 2 BBs, 1 ER).  Emeel Salem (Alabama, 0 for 3 batting) walked with two outs, and then was able to steal second, which brought his total up to seven on the season.  This brought Shane Jordan (3-4, 2 RBI), who already had three RBI on the season, up to the plate, where he promptly singled, which brought Salem home from second.  Though Cotuit never threatened the Mets again, it seemed as if the one run would be enough because tboth Culp and Derik Olvey (Notre Dame, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER) pitched brilliantly for six innings.  This wasn't the case as the seventh inning turned out to be the undoing of the Kettleers because the bats of the Mets suddenly woke up.
      No matter the pitcher that was brought into the fourth, the Mets were able to get on base and this reulted in four runs, and ultimately, a win for the Mets.  Three walks loaded the bases, and with only one out, which came on a sacrifice bunt by Brian Juhl (Stanford, 0 for four batting), Taylor Parker (Missouri, 1 K, 1 BB, 1 ER) was facing an extremely tough situation.   Mike Baxter (Vanderbilt, 3 for four, 2 RBI), the leadoff hitter for the Mets, was able to deliver as he hit a solid double to score two runs.  This wasn't the end for the Mets attack as after Parker struck out a batter and looked like he would finally be able to close out the inning, he hit the very next batter, which forced Mike Roberts to bring in Chris Toneguzzi (Purdue), the fourth pitcher of the inning.  The first batter that Toneguzzi faced was Kyle Norrid (Memphis, 2 RBI, 1 for four batting) who singled to bring in two more runs.  Finally, the inning was over when Toneguzzi was able to get a ground out to the third basemen, but the damage had already been done.
      The Kettleers weren't going to leave without a fight though, as in the eighth inning they were able to post another run against the Mets.  Agian, it was Jordan delivering the blow for the Kettleers as this time with two outs he hit a single to bring in J.P Padron (LSU, 1 for 2 batting).  It appeared as if Cotuit was going to have a big inning as Todd Davison (Delaware/1-4), who had been leading the team with six RBI coming into the game, singled to keep the inning alive.  Stan Poslusny (West Virginia, 1 for 4 batting) then hit what appeared to be a sure RBI single, but the right fielder for the Mets threw a strike to home plate in order to throw out Jordan at the plate.  Suddenly, the inning was over and Cotuit's best chance for tying the game was ended by the strong throw from Jay Miller (Washington State).
      Though the Kettleers would have baserunners at first and second at the top of the ninth, they were unable to pull off the comeback against a tough Hyannis Mets team.  The Cotuit Kettleers battled today, but were unable to come away with the victory.  Hopefully, when the Kettleers return home for their next game on Monday against New Orleans, they can win their second straight home game.  The Cotuit Kettleers battled today, but were unable to come away with the victory.