By Courtney Swift
Kettleers Lead Writer
June 18, 2012

Kevin Ziomek, LHP from Vanderbilt. Photo by Joe Cavanaugh.

HYANNIS – Cotuit earned the win Monday after solid pitching, hitting and defensive performances. They beat the Hyannis Harbor Hawks 9-1 bringing their record to 3-2 on the season. “We know what we’re capable of,” said catcher Aramis Garcia (Florida International). “From top to bottom whether it’s the starting nine or people coming off the bench, we’re talented. The biggest thing was not pressing.”

Kevin Ziomek (Vanderbilt) took the mound for the Kettleers after being recently activated. Cotuit scored early in the top of the first to get the Kettleers on the board, and the team, who made nine errors in their last two games, got back to the fundamentals. “I just try and trust my defense, know that they’re going to make those plays behind me,” Ziomek said. “They made some real nice plays there today.”

Ziomek threw five and a third innings giving up six hits and one run. Coach Mike Roberts was pleased with his pitcher, who played for the Kettleers for about half of the 2011 season. “That’s definitely the best he’s thrown in the Cape League.”

The Kettleer bats came out in the top of the fourth, scoring four runs. Patrick Biondi (Michigan) and Jacob Valdez (San Jose State) both reached with just one out in the inning and scored on a line drive double by Angel Rosa (Alcorn State). Rosa, recently acquired from the Bourne Braves, went 2-4 with one RBI.

Later in the inning, Kemp reached on an error, moved to second on a bunt by Jacob May (Coastal Carolina) and scored from second on a line drive up the middle by Derek Smith (U Pitt Bradford). Kiene, May, Kemp, Valdez and Garcia also had RBIs on the night.

Garcia, who was 3-11 coming into the night, started to get things going. He went 2-3 on the night. “Simply just trying to see the ball and hit the ball,” he said. “I work really hard with just trying to develop an approach just making sure you relax the hands and just see it and hit it.”

Ryan Connolly (Coastal Carolina) came in to relieve Ziomek in the top of the sixth getting out of a two on, one out jam. “There’s no doubt that when you’re fortunate to have a submariner, which I really enjoy having and watching pitch, yeah there is a game plan,” Roberts said. “You want bring Ryan behind guys who have good velocity, so the hitters have to make an adjustment.” Connolly gave up just two hits and struck out three.

Cotuit scored three more runs in the eighth and ninth innings, and Dan Slania (Notre Dame) closed out the ninth. The Kettleers are back at it tomorrow behind another Vanderbilt pitcher in TJ Pecoraro. “I’m really excited to watch TJ. He pitched really well for us this year,” said teammate Ziomek. “I just want to see what he does and kind of show these guys what he does.” Cotuit will face the Orleans Firebirds Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Eldredge Park.

To see more, check out the post game interviews at