by Sean Bailey, Writing Intern, Providence College
August 7, 2013
Cotuit 5 Falmouth 4
-Cotuit needed some late inning dramatics to comeback even this series. Austin Byler (Nevada) hit a two run homer in the sixth to tie the game at three. Then, Jared Walsh (Georgia) hit a pinch hit double to tie it up in the eighth. And finally, Garrett Stubbs (Southern California) won it with a walk-off in the ninth – the first walk-off hit since Alex Yarbrough in July 2011. Cotuit ties the series at one and will face Falmouth at 5:30 on Thursday.
First Non-Homer Hit
-Caleb Bryson (Samford) has had four hits in his first four games. All of these hits have been for homers. In the first inning tonight he finally was kept in the park on a hit, as he lined a single in the first.
Stranded on the Base Paths at Lowell Park
-Getting base runners was not an issue for either squad Wednesday. Falmouth pounded ten hits and Cotuit surpassed them with 14 hits. Scoring runs would be the issues plaguing both teams. Cotuit would strand 11 on the day, and Falmouth would squander nine. Cotuit pitching stranded Commodores on second and third in the top of the tenth to set up the incredible walk off.
Keeping the Ball in Play
-Both teams did a terrific job putting the ball in play and avoiding strikeouts. Cotuit batters struck out seven times, while Falmouth hitters only struck out four.
Can’t Stay in the Park
-These teams ended the regular season as the top two in homers for the League. And some of that power was on display Wednesday. Kevin Cron (TCU) hit a monster three run shot in the fourth. But Cotuit climbed back courtesy of the long ball in the sixth. Rhett Wiseman (Vanderbilt) parked his fifth homer in the bullpen, a solo shot. Then Austin Byler (Nevada) hit a two run homer to knot the game at three.
Walsh Does it All
-Walsh not only was the pitcher of the year for the Kettleers but he has also been a terrific asset at the plate. Walsh laced a pinch hit double to tie the game in the eighth. Walsh is now 6-12 on the plate on the season.