Notre Dame’s Olvey Shows True Mettle in Stellar Outing

By Megan Kerr, Asst. Web Editor
July 2, 2005

HARWICH, MA – Bad baserunning by the Kettleers almost cost them the game, but Emeel Salem (Alabama/1-5, 1 RBI) knocked in the winning run in the top of the 10th inning to give the Kettleers a 2-1 victory over the Harwich Mariners.

An early start by the Kettleers gave them the lead for most of the game, but the Mariners tied it up in the eighth inning, setting up Salem’s extra inning dramatics. Neither pitcher was willing to give much of anything to the other team, and when the respective lineups had chances to score, neither team was really able to take advantage of their opportunities.

Derik Olvey (Notre Dame, 6 Ks, 0 BB) completely baffled his opponent for five innings, only allowing one hit and never facing more than three batters in an inning. Olvey had the lead from the very begginning of the game when the Kettleers were able to get on the board against Adam Ottavino (Northeastern, 5 Ks, 2 BB). An error by the short stop and a bunt by Bryan Harris (LSU/2-5) put runners at the corners with one out for Sean Gaston (Notre Dame/1 RBI). Gaston hit a high bouncing ground ball to the second baseman, which allowed the runner on third to score and the Kettleers to take control.

The scoring ended there though, for though the Kettleers were able to put pressure on the Mariners, they weren’t able to capitalize. A solid baserunning team for most of the season, as the Kettleers now have twenty-nine stolen bases for the season, in this game they constantly ran themselves into problems. They were caught stealing once for a inning ending double-play and twice were picked off of second base. This allowed the Mariners to stay in the game, which they finally took advantage of in the eighth inning off of relief pitcher Josh Johnson (Mississippi State, 3 Ks, 0 BB).

Johnson started the eighth inning by hitting the batter, who then quickly proceeded to steal second base. This was the first time that a Harwich player had reached second base and the Mariners took full advantage of the opportunity.

J.P Lowen (Kentucky/1-5, 1 RBI) doubled to bring in the tying run, but Johnson was able to contain the damage, will let him pick up his second win of the season. After Johnson pitched a shutout ninth inning, the Kettleers were able to score in the tenth inning to go up for good against Mariners relief pitcher Cody Crowell (Vanderbilt, 2 Ks, 0 BB).

With bases loaded and one out after a single, an intentional walk and a bunt, Salem stepped up the plate. Salem then became the hero of the game with a squeeze bunt that the pitcher mishandled, scoring Michael Hollander (LSU/1-3 batting) and winning the game for the Kettleers.

Chris Toneguzzi (Purdue/ 1 K) came on in the tenth and picked up his third save of the season. The Kettleers have now won two in a row and will hope to continue their winning ways against the Bourne Braves tommorow when they return home tomorrow (July 3).