By: Nick Solari, Writing Intern, Quinnipiac University
July 2, 2013
(Kettle Talk by Alexa Galloway PREGAME and POSTGAME)
(Video Highlights by Connor Sullivan HERE)
(Podcast by Greg Mroz. To listen, CLICK HERE)
(Greg Mroz interviews Tim Kiene. To listen CLICK HERE)
COTUIT – Life has been simple so far for the Kettleers in 2013. When they are solid defensively, they win games. When they aren’t, they struggle. In games that they have made two errors or fewer, prior to Tuesday nights game against Brewster, they are 9-1. In games where they have made more than two errors they are 2-4 thus far. They had not played a complete game without making an error.
Tonight was much different.
The Kettleers, for the first time all season long, did not make a single error in the game and defeated the Whitecaps by the final score of 8-2.
The reason? Kettleers head coach Mike Roberts had an unexpected answer to that question.
“A lot of prayer, I think,” Roberts joked. “We have emphasized defense a ton lately. I told they guys the starting lineup will come down to who’s the best on defense.”
The season-low zero miscues on defense was not the only record worth noting, however. With the win over Brewster, Cotuit now has the most of any team in the Cape League with 11.
Logan Ratledge has made a big impact to the roster. Photo by Joe Cavanaugh
Logan Ratledge (North Carolina State) paced the Kettleers offense, and continued his hot start. He was 2-for-3 with a homerun, his second in as many games.
Ratledge’s long-ball came in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Brewster reliever Aaron Brown (Pepperdine). He launched a first pitch fastball that just sailed over the left field fence.
“The wind must be blowing out for him,” Roberts joked. “I’m happy for him, though. He’s made a big impact, and is just a really solid addition to our roster.”
After coming to Cotuit late due to his team making a College World Series appearance, Ratledge is now 4-for-8. He has also provided the Kettleers a solid defensive second baseman, an area that has been a struggle at times.
Kevin Bradley got the start behind the plate tonight, and moved to third base in the sixth. He was 1-for-4 with an RBI double, and threw a runner out trying to steal second base in the fifth.
“I haven’t caught in awhile,” Bradley said. “It was fun. It’s something I’ve never done a whole lot of, and I enjoyed it.”
Roberts was happy with his play.
“He did a pretty good job, considering he hasn’t caught in awhile,” Roberts said. “I liked what I saw, and I’m glad he wanted to go back there. He made a great throw to second base.”
Patrick Corbett earned the win. Photo by Joe Cavanaugh
Rhett Wiseman (Vanderbilt), Yale Rosen (Washington State), Jake Fincher (North Carolina State), and Galli Cribbs Jr. (Clarendon) each added a hit and an RBI. For Cribbs Jr., it was his first run driven in on the season.
Tim Kiene (Maryland) walked three times, tying him for a team-high of nine free passes with Hunter Cole (Georgia) and Mike Ford (Princeton).
Ben Smith started on the mound for Cotuit. He went the first 4.1 innings, giving up five hits, two runs, and striking out seven.
He was replaced by Patrick Corbett (Coastal Carolina), who earned the win. Corbett went 2.2 innings and didn’t give up a run, extending his season-long scoreless streak to 8.1 innings total.
Brian Miller (Vanderbilt) threw the last 2.0 innings. He retired the side in order both times, and struck out one.
The Kettleers take on Falmouth tomorrow at home. First pitch is at 5 p.m.