By: Sean Bailey, Writing Intern, Providence College
August 12, 2013

Cotuit 4 Bourne 3

-The Kettleers won their second deciding game three in as many series Monday. The game was a rollar coaster ride with the Kettleers constantly playing from behind before taking the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth off a Drew Jackson (Stanford) hit. The Kettleers will square off with the Orleans Firebirds Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Lowell Park.

Sweet Revenge

-Cotuit came into the series looking to exact revenge on the Braves. Bourne knocked the Kettleers out in the first round last year as a four seed.

Smith’s Dominance

-Ben Smith (Coastal Carolina) had himself another stellar start. Smith has been consistently good all season for the Kettleers, and Monday’s elimination game was no different. Smith went 4 1/3 before he had to leave the game after being struck by a liner. He allowed only one run though and struck out five. Smith led Cotuit in strikeouts on the season. This also marked his fifth straight start with one earned run or less. He has not allowed three or more earned runs in any of his starts.

Miller Reign Continues

-Brian Miller (Vanderbilt) playoff dominance continues. Miller has now fired six scoreless innings, all of which have come with Cotuit facing elimination. Miller has six strikeouts in these innings and has walked one, which was an intentional walk.

Jackson Rebound

-Jackson had himself a tough playoff run prior to Monday’s thriller. He came into the game 2-19 with 0 RBIs during the playoffs. But he managed to put all of that behind him and played a terrific game. He went 3-4 with 2 RBIs. His first RBI was the game tying double. Then he hit the game winning single in the bottom of the eighth.

Comeback Kettles

-This was Cotuit’s second come from behind win this post season when facing elimination. The first was game two against Falmouth when Garrett Stubbs (USC) hit a walk-off single in the tenth. Jackson hit the game winner in the eighth and the tying hit in the sixth.

Defensively Solid

-Cotuit was very solid defensively again. In Cotuit’s four post season wins they have made only two errors, one of which came today. In their 2 post season losses Cotuit has 6 errors. Jake Fincher (NC State) made a leaping catch on a liner into right, and Logan Ratledge (NC State) made a back handed play up the middle in which he jumped and threw the runner out at first.