by Steve McCarthy
June 18, 2010
COTUIT – The Kettleers (1-3) managed just three hits, tying their lowest output of the season. They also had three hits in a shutout by the same score against Falmouth. The Firebirds’ winning run Friday came in the third inning.
Orleans’ (1-3) win was their first. They have tallied just five runs through their first four games.
“It was a typical Cape game,” Orleans manager Kelly Nicholson said. “When you give up three hits and don’t make any errors, you’re usually going to win in this league.”
Steve Selsky’s (Arizona) two-out single through the right side of the infield scored Kolten Wong (Hawaii) from third base for the eventual game-winning run.
“(Cotuit starting pitcher Joe Robinson) threw a fastball outside, which I happened to be looking for, and I hit it where I wanted to,” Selsky said. “Good things happen when you have that approach.”
Seven of the Firebirds’ eight total hits were singles. Selsky and Kevin Muno (San Diego) each had a pair, while Matt Koch (Loyola Marymount) legged out the only extra-base hit when he doubled in the eighth inning. The bottom four in Orleans’
batting order were held hitless.
“You’re seeing a Friday night guy every night,” Selsky said. “Whoever hits the most singles is going to wear out a pitcher, and they’re going to win the game, most likely.”
Orleans starting pitcher Martin Viramontes (Loyola Marymount) allowed two hits and a walk through five innings to pick up the win. He struck out four. Burny Mitchem (Dayton) served in middle-relief before Kenny Long (Illinois St.) struck out the first four batters he faced in a two-inning save situation.
“(Long) throws poo and he throws slop and he throws strikes,” Nicholson said. “It’s effective against the big bangers like Cotuit.”
Cotuit’s Levi Hyams (Georgia) and C.J. Cron (Utah) hit back-to-back singles in the first inning and Kevin Patterson was left stranded after a single in the seventh.
Orleans’ first seven hits came off Robinson (0-1, So. Nevada JC), who lasted five innings. He struck out three and walked one. Eric Eadington (Harvard), David Colvin (Pomona Pitzer), Michael Frongello (Davidson), and Michael Devine (VMI) all came out of the Kettleers’ bullpen.
Cotuit advanced three runners into scoring position but failed to capitalize. After Patterson singled, Paul Hoilman (East Tennessee St.) moved him over with a sac-bunt, but Zach Cone lined out to right and pinch hitter Kyle McMillen (Kent St.) struck out to end the threat.
“Cotuit did a nice job, too,” Nicholson said. “They gave up a run. Their offense just didn’t get going tonight.”
Orleans left the bases loaded in the sixth inning when Colvin rescued Eadington out of a jam. The Firebirds left eight baserunners aboard in the game.
“We definitely had some opportunities,” Selsky said. “We just couldn’t get that one hit or two hits to get two or three more runs and have a three or four run lead. That would have helped a lot, but we’ve got a pretty good pen.”
Cotuit will host Chatham for a double-header Saturday afternoon with games slated for 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.