By Courtney Swift
Kettleers Media Intern
July 14, 2012

BREWSTER – Clutch hitting against the Whitecaps relief pitching helped the Kettleers to a 5-3 win. After being silenced for most of the game against Brewster’s starter, a two-run double by Mike Ford got Cotuit back in the game and sparked the rest of the lineup to pull ahead.

The Kettleers could do no damage against Brewster’s starter Sam Moll (Memphis). Moll matched his longest start of the season against Cotuit hurling six shutout innings while scattering just four hits during his outing. He struck out five and walked none. “We were all taking good swings,” Kettleers first baseman Mike Ford (Princeton) said. “We just couldn’t find it.” Despite Brewster’s five errors in the first six innings, the Kettleers couldn’t capitalize and were left with a three run deficit heading into the seventh inning. “He was extremely good,” coach Mike Roberts said. “We were tentative.”

Even though Cotuit’s bats cooled off, Ford continued to be hot at the plate. “I think we just got a little comfortable,” Ford said. “Coach Gurss called us over and said why not try to win it in the last three innings. We kind of dug down.” Ford went 2-4 on the night, but his most important at bat came in the top of the eighth with two men in scoring position. Ford launched a 2-2 pitch to left center for a two-run double bringing the Kettleers back into the game and tying the score at three apiece.

But the Kettleers weren’t done. They added two more in the inning after a single by Patrick Biondi (Michigan) to score Ford, and a monster-long drive by catcher Cael Brockmeyer (CSU Bakersfield) to score Tony Kemp and bring the score to 5-3. “It was kind of a whole team effort,” Roberts said. “And a very mature team effort.”

Kyle Finnegan (Texas State) started for Cotuit, looking more focused in his four innings of work. He struck out seven batters on the night and walked three, but he made one mistake in the second inning to put Brewster on top.

After giving up a single to put a runner on base, Aaron Judge (Fresno State) connected on the first pitch of his at bat for a two-run bomb far over the center field fence. The shot put the Whitecaps on top 2-0, and they would add another in the fourth before Finnegan’s outing was over to put Brewster’s lead at three.

Dusty Isaacs (Georgia Tech) has been reliable for the Kettleers in relief this season. When Finnegan was taken out after four, Isaacs proved himself again throwing three scoreless to keep Cotuit in the game and get the win. “If you’re going to win, it can’t be the same guys everyday,” Roberts said. “We’ve been able to use the entire team, which you should do in summer baseball. I’m really please that we’re able to get all of our pitchers and players in games and they contribute.” Isaacs didn’t give up a hit while striking out four before Dan Slania (Notre Dame) came in for the six out save.

The Kettleers have won seven straight, and sit atop the Western Division at 15-10. Cotuit comes back to Lowell Park for a two-game homestand at the start of the week. Southpaw Cameron Griffin (Stetson) gets the start Sunday as the Kettleers take on the Bourne Braves (7-18). Cotuit will take on Orleans (15-10) Monday before a Tuesday off day. For more post game interviews, visit Official Kettleers on YouTube.