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by Evan Barber (Living the Dream Blog)
 Interview by Evan Barber and Andrew Brooks: Coach Roberts, Logan Vick, Coach Shapiro
July 31, 2011
COTUIT - Logan Vick (Baylor) had a night on the diamond that he will never forget.
“I
have no idea how I did it. I don’t really know what happened. It is all
a blur to me to be completely honest with you,” said Vick.
Vick
started the game at third base for the Kettleers but he didn’t stay put
at the hot corner. In the 6th inning Vick was called on in relief for
Mason McVay (Florida International), who had failed to get an out
through the first four batters, and allowed two Braves to score. With
runners on the corners Vick fanned Patrick Cantwell (Stony Brook) and
Colin Moran (North Carolina) for the first two outs of the inning. Vick
then got Kyle Farmer (Georgia) to hit into a grounder right back to the
mound that he scooped up and tossed on to first to end his first inning
of work.
Vick
continued his day on the hill in the 7th. Vick gave up just one hit
during his outing and it was to the lead off hitter, Blake Crohan
(Tulane) in the 7th. Vick’s final line was two innings of work, two
strikeouts, two walks and no earned runs.
In
the eighth Vick returned to his usual home at third. With two outs
Tommy Coyle (North Carolina) roped a line drive that looked like it
would find the gap between Vick and Kevin Mager (Rollins) who was
playing short. Vick, however, had other plans; he took one step to his
left, dove fully stretched and snagged the ball out of the air to end
the inning. When Vick got off the ground he was met by a standing
ovation in the home stands.
“It
was a great honor, great fans all year long. I know we haven’t really
been playing too well. We really want to make the playoffs, one for
ourselves but also for the home fans,” said Vick, “They’ve been great,
always been supportive of us, always here to cheer us on no matter if
we’re winning or losing. To be able to go out here and give them a show
and get a win is a great honor.”
Vick also went 2 for 3 at the plate and scored two runs. It was a Major League type performance from number 6.
“I
do think he has a chance to be a big league player, right now more as a
utility player because who knows if he ends up in the infield, the
outfield. He could end up behind the plate,” said coach Mike Roberts.
“The next four or five years is going to depend on [the players]
maturity and love of the game and I think Logan has proved to me that
he loves the game.”
It
was host family night at Lowell Park as the Kettleers held a pre-game
for all the families that open their homes for the summer. A ceremony
that Roberts feels fired his players up.
“When
[the host family] comes on the field, that's a beautiful picture of
what the Cape League is all about, and if I’m a player that would fire
me up more than what a coach would say,” said Roberts.
The
Kettleers certainly wasted no time scoring runs for their host
families, scoring 4 runs in the first inning. With one out Kevin
Roundtree (Southern California) singled to second base. Vick was up
next and got himself a double down the line in left that bounced off
Coyle’s glove. Victor Roache (Georgia Southern) looked as though he
would be the second out of the inning on a routine grounder to the
pitcher, instead Logan Norris (LSU-Shreveport) fired it over the head
of DJ Hicks (UCF) at first allowing Roache to reach second, and both
Roundtree and Vick to score. Mike Yastrzemski (Vanderbilt) doubled home
Roache on the next at bat. Micah Johnson (Indiana) singled right back
to the pitcher and took off on the next pitch. With the throw going
down to second Yastrzemski took off running with the Kettleers' fourth
run.
The
Kettleers would only score one other run in the game, in the third.
Vick drew a lead off walk and scored two batters later on a single by
Johnson, and it was quickly 5-1 Cotuit.
The
Braves made the game close 6th while trailing 5-2. Hicks roped a
lead-off double; then Garrett Cannizaro (Tulane) singled. Cody Reine
(Oklahoma) made it interesting when he singled to second, but Johnson
air-mailed the throw allowing all the runners to advance, including
Hicks to the plate. Travis Jankowski (Stony Brook) singled home Cannizaro for the Braves’ fourth and final run.
The score stayed constant and the final tally was 5-4 Cotuit.
Chris
Beck (Georgia Southern) got the start for the Kettleers and didn't have
his.best stuff all night. Beck's heater topped out at 89 and called
Roberts to the mound in the 4th and pointed to his forearm. The
apparent pain ended the Beck's night and possibly his Cape season.
“I
really feel like most likely that may be the last game you’ll see him
pitch this year, even if we make the playoffs. I think he may have
maxed it out,” said Roberts, “He’s just pitched a lot of innings.”
Throughout
the game Bob Scotti was announcing updates on the Falmouth vs Wareham
game over the PA system. In the end the Gatemen came out on top, giving
the Kettleers a chance to get within a point of a playoff spot. The
Kettleers got the job done and sit just one point behind Falmouth for
the final playoff spot.
The
Kettleers have the day off today and look to keep the playoff hopes
alive as they travel to Brewster on Tuesday for a 4:30 start. |
