By: Sean Bailey, Writing Intern, Providence College
July 31, 2013
Cotuit 6 Wareham 3
-The Cotuit Kettleers completed the sweep of the Wareham Gatemen. The win helps them keep pace with Hyannis in the hunt for the Western Division crown, as they remain a point behind Hyannis with four games remaining. Falmouth lurks behind only one point back of Cotuit, and two behind Hyannis.
Backstop Rest
-Nolan Clark (Concordia) got a rare night off on Wednesday night. It marked the first time in 19 games that he did not get the start. Kevin Bradley (Clemson) started in his stead and went 0 for 3 with a walk. Clark did not get the whole night off, as he came in behind the plate in the eighth inning, making it 24 consecutive games he has appeared in.
Bradley Bashes
-Bradley Zimmer (University of San Francisco) had one of his better games since returning from Team USA. He had his first extra base hit since returning, a triple in the first inning. Then he had a two run double in his second at bat to give Cotuit an early 2-0 lead. Zimmer would finish 3-5, a home run away from the cycle.
Swing and a Miss
-Cotuit was able to tag Sean Newcomb (University of Hartford), and chase him after three innings. But Newcomb was still able to force swing and misses from Kettleer hitters, as seven of his nine outs were recorded by way of the K. Cotuit struck out a grand total of nineteen times tonight. Only eight outs were put in play. Cotuit has struck out 31 times in their last two games, accounting for over 50 percent of their out total. The Kettleers side was struck out three times. Rhett Wiseman (Vanderbilt) was the only player not to strikeout.
Bunter Friendly
-The bunt was a great weapon for the Kettleers against Wareham. Cotuit dropped two bunts to squeeze home runs. Both came in the fourth inning, as apart of a three run rally by Cotuit. The first was by Hunter Cole (Georgia), which brought home Jake Fincher (NC State) in the fourth. Then Drew Jackson (Stanford) plopped one back to the pitcher which brought home Cole.
Closing the Door on Injury
-Brian Miller (Vanderbilt) made his return from a prolonged absence due to arm soreness. Miller came in with no outs in the eighth inning, and a runner on third. He struck out the first two Gatemen, and forced a pop out to escape the inning. He went two scoreless innings, striking out four and collecting his fifth save of the season.
Defensive Assistance
-In the bottom of the eighth, with two outs and a runner on third, Ethan Gross (Memphis) hit a flare into shallow left that looked like a single. That is until Jackson bolted out there and made an over the shoulder catch to take away the run, and preserve a 6-3 lead.