Ghutzman Brothers Face Off For Bragging Rights Behind The Plate

Over the four game series through last weekend, the Kettleers have played .500 baseball. They scored 19 times, while allowing 13 runs and out hit their opponents 30 to 24. They have left 33 runners on base over the four game period, an average of just over eight men a game, but over the same four games the opposing teams stranded an identical 33 runners. However, miscues in the field have hurt Cotuit. The team committed eight errors over the four games as opposed to just three by the four other teams. In their first 12 games they have committed 24 errors. Kettleer pitching posted a respectable 3.18 ERA over 12 games, but the team continues to struggle with the bat with the team average at the plate just .219 as of last Monday.   TOP

Ninth-Inning Heroics Bring Kettleers’ Crowd To Its Feet

With a record of  8-10 and coming off the ninth inning win over Wareham, the Kettleers headed east to face Brewster at Cape Tech last Monday and ran into a five hit pitching performance by Whitecap staff ace Michael Weel, who got the 6-0 win. Three of the five Cotuit hits came from the leftside of the lineup against the right-handed Weel. Brewster scored in the bottom of the first and third innings before adding three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. A home run in the fifth by Whitecap DH Todd Faulkner rounded out the scoring giving Brewster the win. Shawn Weaver took the loss for the Kettleers going five innings allowing eight hits while striking out three and walking three. Brian Strelitz came on in relief going three innings and giving up just two hits. Cotuit dropped to 8-11.    TOP

Kettleers Week in Review

Tuesday Cotuit dropped a 4-3 decision to the Commodores at Fuller Field. Brian Sager was on the mound for the Kettleers and held the Commodores scoreless through three innings before a four run fourth broke things open. Phil Ghutzman led off the inning with a walk and later scored on a wild pitch. Doc Brooks followed with the second walk of the inning and also scored when teammate Luke Scott launched a home run over the centerfield fence. A third walk and a wild pitch put Jarod Schmidt in scoring position for Kahlil Greene, who brought him home with a single into left field for the fourth run of the inning.  Cotuit rallied in the top of the fifth. A lead off walk to Anthony Perkiss and a single to center by Matt Longo put runners at first and second for hook, who singled to right to load the bases. Russ then grounded into a fielders choice scoring Perkiss with the first Cotuit run of the game. Holt then fouled out to Scott at first base, who Longo surprised with a tag at third and a dash for the plate, scoring the second run of the inning. Cafiero followed with a sharp grounder to short, but the throw to first wasn’t handled by Scott allowing Russ to cross the plate with the third Cotuit run. After sending eight men to the plate the rally died leaving two men on base and Falmouth still in the lead 4-3. Jesse Harper came on in the bottom of the fifth in relief of Sager and shutdown the Commodores, striking out five. Nick Glaser came in the face the final batter in the bottom of the eighth striking him out. The Kettleers threatened, getting runners on first and second in the seventh, but were unable to move then along. Philip Barzilla got the win for Falmouth improving his record to 2-1, while Sager took the loss dropping to 0-2. TOP

The Sandwich Enterprise July 21, 2000 by Dan Crowley

Kettleers Continue Downward Spiral

In a game that had been postponed earlier due to team illness, the Bourne Braves, healthy again, visited Lowell Park last week and took a late inning win away from the Kettleers, 3-2. Battling for a much needed win against last place Bourne, the Cotuit bats were silent, with the exception of Chris Russ, Matt Singer, Daylan Holt and pinch hitter Steve Ghutzman. After five and a half scoreless innings, the Kettleers put two runs on the board in the bottom of the sixth. Russ reached on an infield single then moved into scoring position at third on a throwing error. He tagged and scored on a fly out by Anthony Purkiss. Holt, who has been hitting well as of late, then doubled. He came home on a pinch hit by Ghutzman, But, two runs were all that the Kettleers could muster against Bourne pitcher Grant Gregg, who went six and two thirds innings, allowing just the two runs on five hits and striking out seven. Ryan Combs went seven solid innings for Cotuit giving up two runs on just three hits, including a lead-off home run in the seventh to Bourne first baseman Jon Benick. Erick Threets came on in the top of the eighth going a third of an inning and giving up what turned out to be the winning run. Nick Glaser came on in relief of Threets and finished up for Cotuit. Luke DeBold finished the sixth and pitched the seventh for Bourne to earn the win, with Josh Brey closing out the eighth for the save. Singer went two for two at the plate for Cotuit, including a seventh inning double, upon which the Kettleers were unable to capitalize. Russ was two for four with a stolen base and a run scored. The Kettleers had just six hits and stranded eight base runners. The team dropped to 11-15 and are in fourth place in the Western Division.

The loss to Bourne was followed by a trip to Hyannis and another must win game against the third place Mets. Again a late inning comeback snuffed out the Kettleer’s hopes as Hyannis scored in the bottom of the ninth to win 7-6. Cotuit opened the scoring in the top of the second putting four runs across the plate. Brian Wright had two RBI in the inning. The Mets came back in the bottom of the third driving five runs across the plate and added another in the fourth. Shawn Weaver went five innings for Cotuit allowing six runs on six hits, while striking out three. Dan Eisentrager came on in relief going three and two thirds innings and taking the loss. In the top of the seventh, Russ moved Cotuit within a run of the Mets with his second home run of the year. After a scoreless eighth inning, the Kettleers tied the score in the top of the ninth when Hyannis pitcher, Darryl DeSalvo gave up a two out bases loaded walk to Holt tying the game. The top of the inning ended with the bases load for Cotuit. In the bottom of the frame the Mets got a man on base for hot hitting Ryan Barthelemy, who, with two outs, drove home the winning run. Barthelemy went three for five at the plate for the Mets, scored a run, hit a home run in the third and accounted for four RBI. Mike Hook stole his 17th base of the season and Russ added his fifth.

With a record of 11-16 and struggling to beat clubs at the bottom of the division, Cotuit hosted the Yarmouth Dennis last Saturday with the hope once more of getting back into the win column, only to slip further in the Western Division standings, falling to the Red Sox 6-4. Cotuit’s Dallas McPherson, a starting pitcher at the Citadel, but who has been playing the infield this season for the Kettleers due to some shoulder soreness, got his first start of the season. McPherson gave up a run in the top of the first, but the Kettleers came right back to even the score. In the top of the second a hit batter and two errors combined to give the Red Sox three more runs and a 4-1 lead. In the third Cotuit added a run, but the Red Sox pushed another across the plate in the top of the fifth to go up 5-2. McPherson went five complete innings for the Kettleers. Just two of the five Y-D runs were earned. He allowed eight hits, while striking out two and walking two. Threets came on in relief and pitched the four remaning innings for Cotuit giving up one run on one hit and striking out five, while walking two batters. A two run Cotuit rally in the bottom of the sixth fell short as Red Sox pitcher Mike Frick came on in relief of starter Tony Banaszak to halt the Kettleers. Brandon Luna relieved Frick in the seventh to get the save. Russ went three for four at the plate and scored a run. The dependable Texas A&M junior raised his average to .262. Singer continued his steady work with the bat with a two for four performance and an RBI, raising his average to a team leading .282. Russ, Holt, Singer and Matt Longo all had a stolen base.

The loss to the Red Sox dropped the Kettleers to 11-17. The Sunday night game at Chatham went four innings before being cancelled due to fog. Brian Sager was on the mound for Cotuit and had five strikouts after four. Chris Young pitched for Chatham and posted eight strikeouts for the Athletics in four innings of work. The game was called with Chatham ahead 1-0 and was rescheduled to be replayed in its entirety at a later date. TOP

The Sandwich Enterprise July 21, 2000 by Dan Crowley

Cape Leaguers Get Look At The Big Time

On Tuesday the All Stars from the Cape League were recognized at Fenway Park in Boston and it’s fair to say that there was a general sense of awe, excitement and respect at the history surrounding them

After lunch in the Diamond Club at Fenway, the players were scheduled to tour the park and then be on the field for batting practice as the Red Sox and Montreal Expos prepared for their game. But Mother Nature altered those plans as thunderstorms came through the area with periods of heavy rain. But, in baseball, players do what they always do when it rains. They sit back and talk about the game.

"I’ve never been to Fenway before," Falmouth pitcher Bob Brownlie said as he looked around the park. "There’s so much history here. When you think of all the great players who have played here, it’s an honor for me to be here today."

"It would be a dream to play here," Bourne third baseman Kevin Youkilis said sitting in the seats along the first base line of an empty Fenway Park as the rain came down. "There’s so much tradition."

"It’s really beautiful," added Braves catcher Darren Welch as he studied the Green Monster. "There’s a lot of history here."

By the time the rain stopped it was apparent that there would be no tour this year and that with the clock approcahing game time, there would be no batting practice. In the bull pens pitchers for the Expos and Red Sox began to stretch and throw.

"He went to the same school as me, Kent State," an excited Dave Mattle said motioning toward Expos starter Dustin Hermanson, who had begun to throw in the visitors bull pen. Mattle will represent the Falmouth Commodores and start in centerfield for the western Division All Stars.

When he finished throwing, Hermanson, Mattle and Brownlie talked serious baseball for quite awaile. The Montreal pitcher answered questions and talked about his road to the major leagues.

Players from both teams took the field to warm up as game time approached. Cotuit starting pitcher, Ryan Combs had the forsight to bring along a baseball, something several of the other players wished they too had done. As he stood along the right field line watching the Red Sox with his ball and a pen in his hand, Combs said, "I feel just like a six year old looking at all my heroes." By the end of warm-ups he had several autographs.

"This is unbelievable," Kettleer Nick Glaser said looking around the park and watching the teams get ready. "So many guys have played here. I’m glad I got to see it before they tear it down."

"It looks bigger on T.V.," Falmouth pitcher Vince Serafini said scanning the park from the bleachers. "It’s a lot different from what you see when you watch a game."

Down the right field line by the Pesky Pole, Falmouth coach Jeff Trundy was quietly contemplating. "I’m just thinking about all the people who have gone through this place," he said without taking his gazed from the field. "To be able to do this is a great thing for the kids."

Thirty minutes before the start of the game, which turned out to be another Pedro Martinez gem, a 3-1 Red Sox victory, the Cape players filed out onto the field and were individually introduced and presented with a plague by Red Sox Director of Player Development, Kent Qualls and former Cape League player (Hyannis ‘92) and now Red Sox reliever, John Wasdin in recognition of their accomplishments.

The sky cleared at game time and Wednesday was a scheduled day off for the Cape League. There was nothing to do but watch.

"This is great," Youkilis said. "And tomorrow’s an off day. I think I’ll just sit back and enjoy it." TOP

The Sandwich Enterprise July 28, 2000 by Dan Crowley

Kettleers Finish Off Tough Week In Fine Fashion

On July 12 the Kettleers defeated the Cardinals by the score of 3-1. Zack Minor got the win going seven innings allowing just three hits. Nick Glaser got the save for Cotuit. Since that long ago Wednesday night at Lowell Park, the Kettleers have suffered a string of defeats. With a record of 11-18 the Kettleers hosted Falmouth last week mustering a meager five hits. Matt Longo went three for four at the plate and drove in catcher John Nathans with the only Cotuit run. The loss increased the Kettleer losing streak to five games.

A trip to Whitehouse Field in Harwich followed where the Kettleers ran into a strong pitching performance by Mariner Jason Slanina, who went seven innings allowing just three hits. Clemson reliever, Mike Proto from Peabody, Massachusetts followed with two innings of no hit pitching to give Harwich an 8-2 victory and hand Cotuit it’s sixth straight loss. Kettleer third baseman Jeff Eure drove in both Cotuit runs with a double in the second inning.

The All Star game on Saturday gave all but the three Kettleer representatives, Ryan Combs, Glaser and Daylan Holt, a break. But, after the ninth inning Eastern Division heroics to clinch a 7-6 win, Cotuit, with an 11-20 record and 20 points behind Western Division leader Wareham, got back to business facing Eastern Division leader Brewster at Lowell Park. Two Whitecap runs in the top of the first was all the scoring until Brewster posted three more in the top of the sixth for a 5-0 lead. Brewster left fielder Paul O’Toole hit a three run home run in the eighth to increase the lead to 8-0. Cotuit fought back in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs. Mike Hook went two for four for the Kettleers with two RBI. Eure accounted for the other RBI and also scored a run. A run apiece in the ninth brought the contest to an end at 9-4. Ryan Olsen (2-1) held Cotuit scoreless for eight complete innings giving way to closer Peter Dunkle. Brian Sager took the loss for the Kettleers dropping his record to 0-3.

Suffering their seventh straight loss and dropping to 11-21, 22 points behind division leading Wareham and 10 points away from second place Falmouth, Cotuit traveled to Veterans Field in Chatham to make up a game canceled earlier due to fog. Four innings into the game that was canceled, Chatham pitcher Chris Young had already notched eight strikeouts, striking out the side in both the third and fourth. Typical of the way the season has gone for the Kettleers, when they arrived in Chatham last Monday, they were greeted from the mound by none other than Young (3-2), who went seven strong innings for the Athletics giving up no runs on just two hits while striking out eight in a 4-2 Chatham win. Dave Bush got his eighth save of the season for the Athletics. Both teams recorded just five hits apiece with Zack Minor (1-4) taking the loss for Cotuit. The Kettleers committed four errors in the field. Hook led the way on the base paths with four stolen bases raising his league leading total to 21. Dallas McPherson doubled in the top of the eighth for the Kettleers. He took third on a wild pitch and came home on a passed ball to put Cotuit on the scoreboard. Hook scored from second, after a walk and stolen base, on a single by Longo with the second Kettleer run. The loss, the eighth in a row for the Kettleers, dropped them to 11-22 and 10 points behind second place Falmouth in the Western Division with 11 games remaining.

Tuesday night offered an opportunity to close the gap on the second place Commodores. Cotuit sent McPherson (1-1) to the mound for just his second start of the season. A junior from The Citadel, McPherson faced the league’s home run leader, Falmouth right fielder Luke Scott who has seven dingers and is also tied for third in runs scored with 23 and Doc Brooks, the power in the Commodore line-up who boasts six home runs, is second in the league with 15 extra base hits and leads in runs scored with 28. Dave Mattle and Phil Ghutzman are also capable with the bat. McPherson, who has played either first or third base for most of the season lost his first start of the season back on the 15th, a 6-4 decision to Yarmouth Dennis. In five innings he allowed eight hits and managed just two strikeouts. But Tuesday McPherson was masterful. After eight innings the Cotuit pitcher had still not allowed a hit. An unearned Falmouth run in the fourth inning gave the Kettleers a 5-1 lead going into the ninth. Falmouth first baseman Phil Hartig, the first batter McPherson faced in the bottom of the ninth, singled to spoil the no hit bid. McPherson stranded Hartig, ending the inning and breaking an eight game Cotuit losing streak. Hook once again tore up the base paths with a second four steal game and leads the league with 25. Matt Singer has been steady with the bat, going two for five with a run scored. Eure, Holt and Steve Ghutzman also had hits for the Kettleers. Ghutzman and Holt had two RBI each. The Commodores committed four errors behind Preston Larrison (2-2) who took the loss.

The long awaited win moved the Kettleers out of the cellar and into fourth place in the Western Division, one point ahead of Bourne. With only the top two teams in the division qualifying for the playoffs, Cotuit trails Falmouth and Hyannis, who are both tied for second, by just eight points with 10 games remaining.

The Kettleers play Hyannis twice and Falmouth once more this summer. They also have to face league leader Wareham on the road next Friday. Hopefully winning will become contagious. TOP