Kettleers Can't Solve Chatham Puzzle in 3-1 Loss

Cotuit Falls to Chatham In Spite of Solid Outing by Clay Dirks

July 9, 2005

By Megan Kerr, Asst. Web Editor

CHATHAM, MA — Clay Dirks (LSU, 3 Ks, 2 BB) gave the Kettleers five strong innings, only allowing one earned run, but the offense of the Kettleers was unable to produce anything, giving Dirks a no decision in their three to one loss to the Chatham Athletics. Cotuit grabbed the lead in the second inning, but after that, they were unable to score again due to the solid pitching of Robert Woodard (UNC, 5 Ks, 0 BB), who picked up his second win of the season. Woodard only allowed three hits in the seven innings he pitched, which isn't a formula for success as the Kettleers found out.
      The only damage that the offense was able to do occured in the second inning when they took the first lead of the game. WIth one out, Jason Donald (Arizona, 2-4 batting) hit his second triple of the season, putting a man in scoring position for Todd Davison (Delaware, 1 RBI). Davison hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Donald, giving Cotuit a one to nothing lead and Davison his eleventh RBI of the season. The lead didn't hold up as the Athletics tied up the score in the fifth inning. Alex Presley (Mississippi, 3-5 batting, 1 RBI) and Baron Frost (USC, 3-5 batting, 1 RBI) hit back-to-back singles with one out to begin the rally for the Chatham Athletics. Evan Longoria (Long Beach St, 1 RBI) then hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Presley, which tied up the score and set the game up for a close finish.
      Chatham was finally able to break the tie in the eigth inning when with two on and two out, the top of the order came through for the Athletics to drive in two runs, which put them up for good. Presley and Frost were again invovled in the rally as the hit back-to-back singles to drive in the two winning runs. There wouldn't be any miraculous come back for Cotuit this time, as they were unable to come through in the ninth inning when they had the best chance to do so.
      With one out and men on first and third, Donald came up looking to knock in some much needed runs. Instead, Derrick Lutz (George Washington, 1 K, 1 BB), who picked up his third save of the season, struck out Donald and then got Davison to ground out to end the game. The Chatham pitching was just too much for the Kettleers offense, but hopefully tommorow against Falmouth their offense will come back to life.