Kettleers Fall Deeper in Western Division Standings with Loss to Bourne

Braves Draw First Blood and Stay On Top of Cotuit for Win

June 25, 2005

By Megan Kerr, Asst. Web Editor

BOURNE, MA - Cotuit dropped its second in a row with a loss to Bourne as the Braves attack was too much for the Kettleers to handle in their seven to one loss.  The Braves had previously played the Kettleers in a very tightly contested one to one tie at Cotuit's opening game, but this game wasn't close at all.  For the second game in a row the Cotuit pitchers struggled to get outs and the batters struggled to get on base, which isn't a formula for sucess.  Forest Cory (William and Mary, 4 Ks, 1 BB) kept the Cotuit batters off balance in order to pick up his first victory of the season and only allowed one run to score in the seven innings that he pitched.  Nathan Culp (Missouri, 3 Ks,  1 BB) lost his first game of the season because he was unable to match the brilliant pitching of Cory.
       The Braves were able to get the first runs of the game in the fourth inning against Culp and they controlled the game from that point forward.  With one out and runners on first and third Ty Wright (Oklahoma State, 1 RBI) grounded back to the pitcher in what appeared to be a double play ball.  Culp was able to get the out at second, but the shortstop was unable to turn the double play which allowed Justin Henry (Ole Miss, 1 for 4 batting) to score.  So the inning continued because of the defenses inability to turn the double play, and the Braves took advantage by tacking on two more runs before the inning was over.
The Kettleers were able to get one of the runs back in the sixth inning after J.P Padron (LSU) walked with one out and then reached second on a baulk by Cory.  After Devin Thomas (Brown) flied out to center field, Emeel Salem (Alabama, 2 for 4 batting, 1 RBI) singled for his fourth RBI of the season.  After Shane Jordan (Stetson, 1 for 4 batting) singled, it appeared that the Kettleers were going to have a big inning, but Salem got cought steeling third during an attempted double steal to end the inning.  This ended the Ketleers biggest threat of the game, but Braves weren't content with their three runs as they continued to threaten.
Jake McCarter (Navarro, 2 Ks, 1 BB) relieved Culp and the Braves were able to add some insurance runs in the seventh inning against McCarter.  Though he only allowed one hit in the inning, the hit was a big one as it occured after McCarter had hit two batters and walked one to load the bases.  With two outs, Mike Hernandez collected his fourth RBI of the season with his bases clearing double.  With the score now seven to one it was to much to hope that the Kettleers would be able to make up the deficit because the pitching of the Braves was to good today for that type of let down to occur.
Andrew Carignan (UNC, 2 Ks) finished the game off for the Braves as he pitched two scoreless innings, which made it so that Cotuit was heading home with a two game losing streak.  Hopefully the Kettleers will be able to get back on track when they play struggling Hyannis at home tommorow. ontinue their winning ways.