Cotuit Struggles With Wareham Lineup in 6-2 Loss

For Immediate Release

Kettleers Stay on Top of Western Division, Face Hyannis Tonight

By Megan Kerr

WAREHAM, MA — Wareham pounded the Kettleers for a 6-2 victory that moved the Gateman only half a game behind Cotuit for the lead in the Western Division. Dave Duncan (Georgia Tech, 1 BB, 7K, 6H) struggled in his first start for the Kettleers as Wareham constantly put pressure on him throughout his six innings that he pitched. The fourth and fifth innings were the most hurtful for Duncan as Wareham was able to secure a very comfortable five run lead. The offensive explosion by the Gateman during those innings was punctuated by Ryan Gotcher's (Arkansas-Little, 2 for 5, 1 RBI) homerun, which was his first of the season. With Cotuit not able to apply any offensive pressure of their own, a five run lead appeared to be insurmountable.

     Texas freshman Kyle Russell belted a two-run homer for the Kettleers, but it was not enough for a comeback.

  Jeremy Bleich (Stanford, 2 BB, 2 K, 4 H), who picked up his first victory of the season, kept the Cotuit attack off balance for six innings, but in the seventh the Kettleers were finally able to get something going against him. Tony Thomas (Florida State, 1 for 4) led off the inning with a double, and then right after, Kyle Russell (Texas, 1 for 4, 2 RBI) hit his first homerun of the season for the Kettleers first runs of the evening. Cotuit continued to give their fans hope for a comeback in the eighth inning as they loaded the bases with one out against reliever Martin Beno (Mississippi St, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 H). Thomas tried to bring the Kettleers even closer to the Gateman, but was unable to produce as he hit into a double play to end Cotuit's last real threat of the inning.

  Cotuit was unable to come up with a dramatic comeback as they went down fairly quietly in the ninth inning. With the loss, the Kettleers fall to nine and four on the season, but still are atop the Western Division standings. Cotuit travels to Hyannis tomorrow to play the Mets for the first time this season where they hope to get back on track with a victory before coming back home for the fourth of July.