Kettleers Cushion Lead in Western Division Standings

For Immediate Release

Cotuit Ups Record to 15-6-1; Keeps Seven-Point Lead in Western Division

By Megan Kerr/Asst. Web Editor

HYANNIS, MA — In spite of a two-day layoff due to rain, the Kettleers' bats stayed red-hot last night at McKeon Park as Cotuit drubbed the host Hyannis Mets, 7-1.   

      The Mets though, were the first to strike as they scored off of Dave Duncan (Georgia Tech, 1 BB, 5K, 7H) in the first inning to give them the first lead of the game. Duncan struggled in the first inning as he allowed three straight singles to load the bases for the Mets, then walked Matt Mangini (NC State, 1 for 3, 1 RBI) to give the Mets a one to nothing lead. After his early struggles though, Duncan picked up his game as he forced Ramon Corona (NC State, 0 for 4) to hit into a double play and Sean O'Brien (Virginia Tech, 0 for 3) to fly out to left field to get out of the first inning.

  After the first inning, Duncan pitched extremely well, not allowing the Mets to gather any more momentum and holding them to that one run. The Mets weren't able to do anything against Duncan's solid pitching, allowing Cotuit to come right back and take the lead from Hyannis to give Duncan his first victory of the season. The comeback started right away as Jeff Rea (Mississippi St, 1 for 5, 2 RBI) singled to bring in Matt Angle (Ohio State, 2 for 3) to tie the game up at one apiece. Cotuit then took the lead for good in the third inning as with one out, Sean Gaston (Notre Dame, 2 for 3, 1 RBI) hit his first home run of the season for his ninth RBI of the season, giving Cotuit a two to one lead that they wouldn't relinquish. Cotuit never relaxed once they got the lead though as they continued to punish Hyannis pitching throughout the game.

  Dan Delucia (Ohio State, 0BB, 4K, 1H) came in for relief for the Kettleers and continued Duncan's solid work as the Mets were unable to get anything going against him. Cotuit hitters didn't face the same dilemma as their Mets counterparts as scored five more runs over the next six innings, including a two-run homerun by Kyle Russell, (Texas, 2 for 5, 2 RBI) his third on the season, in the eighth inning. Dan Runzler (UC Riverside, 3BB, 1K, 0H) finished off the game with some difficulty in the ninth inning as he loaded the bases with three walks, but got out of the jam with a strikeout, a shallow fly out, and a ground out while allowing no runs to score. With the victory, Cotuit remains in first place in the Western Division with a 15-6-1 record on the season. They look to continue their hot streak as they travel to play the Harwich Mariners tonight before returning home to face the Falmouth Commodores.