Cotuit's Simmons Spins Masterful Web Over Cardinals

For Immediate Release

Kettleers Remain Atop the Western Division in First Place After 4-0 Shutout

By Megan Kerr

ORLEANS, MA — Cotuit used the proven formula of solid pitching and clutch hitting for continued success as it defeated the Orleans Cardinals on the road last night at Eldredge Park, 4-0, thanks to Cal State-Riverside's James Simmons and Georgia Tech's Dave Duncan.

    Simmons (Cal St Riverside, 1 BB, 8 K, 2 H) again pitched brilliantly for the Kettleers as he picked up his second victory of the season by completely baffling the Cardinals hitters. In the fifteen innings that Simmons has pitched for the Kettleers this season he has yet to allow a run and now has 14 strikeouts on the season to lead the Kettleers in that category. With Simmons handling the Cardinals' attack, Cotuit was able to concentrate on their own offense, where the Kettleers' lineup continues to deliver.

      This game had a few tense moments, starting with Coach Roberts being thrown out of the game in the top of the third inning for getting into it with the home plate umpire. Cotuit was able to overcome this distraction though as they continued to press their attack and in the fifth inning they were finally able to break through. The fifth inning started somewhat controversially as it appeared that Matt Angle (Ohio State, 2 for 4) had tripled to lead off the inning against starting Cardinals pitcher Michael Hyde (Florida State, 0 BB, 5 K, 6 H), who fell to one and one on the season. At first it appeared that the triple was going to stand, but, after much discussion by the umpires urged on by the opposing head coach, the umpires decided that due to fan interference it was only a double. Angle was forced to retreat back to second base and it seemed as if the Kettleers weren't going to be able to get him home after they quickly got two outs. With two outs though, Jeff Rea (Mississippi St, 2 for 4, 1 RBI) singled to bring in Angle for the game deciding run. Cotuit wasn't done though, as Justin Smoak (South Carolina, 2 for 5, 2 RBI) added a couple of insurance runs for Cotuit by driving a two-run homerun over the right field fence for his sixth RBI and third homerun of the season.

  Cotuit put the game away by adding another run off of an RBI single by Brett Lilley (Notre Dame, 1 for 2, 1 RBI) in the seventh inning. Dave Duncan (Georgia Tech, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 H) pitched two shutout innings for the Kettleers to secure the victory for Simmons and improve Cotuit's record to seven and two on the season. Cotuit now must travel to Bourne for the second time this season where they hope to continue this winning streak before returning home on Thursday to play Falmouth.