Haines fires in a pitch. (Leeann Brothers)
By: Sean Bailey, Writing Intern, Providence College
June 22, 2013
(Kettle Talk with Alexa Galloway PREGAME and POSTGAME)
(Video game recap by Connor Sullivan HERE)
COTUIT – It is not everyday that a fan gets to witness a historical performance. For fans who came to Lowell Park on Saturday, they got to behold a historical, and dominant performance. The only issue is that it was not the hometown Kettleers who did the dominating. Instead, it was the Kettleers who were dominated by the Bourne Braves. The Braves utilized three pitchers to no hit the Kettleers, all on their way to an impressive 8-0 victory.
“Well we have a lot of youth and inexperience. When you look at our offense and defense it is probably one of the youngest in the league,” said Manager Mike Roberts following the game, “Our pitching isn’t, but our offense and defense is very young and the last couple of days they have played young.”
The first seven innings were a complete and utter pitcher’s duel. Alex Haines (Seton Hill) got the start for Cotuit and was spectacular. Haines went five innings, striking out seven while scattering four hits. His seven strikeouts pushed his season total to 14 strikeouts in nine total innings. He mixed his pitches well, and changed locations, tossing a fastball in the low 90s with off speed pitches traveling as slow as 74.
“I felt pretty confident. I got out there, felt comfortable, and went in with the mindset of throwing strikes,” said Haines.
Then Trevor Seidenberger (TCU) came in and threw two scoreless innings, not allowing a hit. He has yet to allow a hit in his four innings on the season.
The problem for Cotuit was that Austin Gomber (Florida Atlantic) matched Haines with his start. Gomber went five scoreless, striking out five, and walking one. He mixed his pitches and locations, leaving Cotuit bats spellbound. Josh Laxer (University of Mississippi) gave three scoreless, followed by Ryan Harris (University of Florida) who continually peppered fastballs at 96 for a scoreless inning, securing the no hitter for the Braves.
“I am seeing a lot of one handed swings, which will not work in this league. I am trying to get them to show bat speed and balance,” said Roberts.
After seven scoreless innings for both teams, the scoring opened up in the eighth inning. It started with a drag bunt single that fell into no man’s land between the mound and first base. Then grounded went deep into the third base side of short, which went for a single. After a ground out to first moved the runners to second and third, a wild pitch broke the scoreless tie. Then an errant throw from first went down the first base line, getting past Mike Ford (Princeton) and scoring the second Bourne run.
It would be more than enough as the Bourne pitchers dazzled Cotuit all evening. The only chance for a hit was in the seventh inning. Ford smacked a long, high, chopping grounder to first, which was misplayed by the first basemen. The play was originally ruled a hit, a double for Ford. However, under review, the scoring was reversed, eliminating the hit for Cotuit.
Bourne exploded for a final time in the ninth inning, batting around and driving six Braves home, swelling the final score to 8-0 Bourne. The Braves took advantage of two walks and an error in that inning. Cotuit made three errors on the day, making it 13 errors in their last four games.
“We got some work to do, but that is why we are here, to get the work done. And I have always said this, it is not how you start but how you finish. We will work on it everyday, have fun doing it and show a lot of energy,” said Roberts.
The loss drops Cotuit to 6-3 on the season. The Kettleers travel to Hyannis Sunday night to face the Harbor Hawks. Game time is six p.m.