By Jon Mettus
June 22, 2015

COTUIT — The Cotuit Kettleers (4-8) gave up three runs in the top of the seventh and lost to the Harwich Mariners (6-5-1), 5-3, in game one of a doubleheader at Lowell Park.

Daniel Brown (Mississippi State) started for the Kettleers and was charged with two unearned runs in four innings of work. Brett Stephens (UCLA) went 1-for-2 with a home run, two runs batted in and a walk.

Cotuit’s Justin Dunn (Boston College) received the loss for his two runs allowed in two innings pitched.

The Mariners wasted no time getting on the board. After two walks in the top of the first, Preston Palmeiro (NC State) hit a line drive into left. Matt Albanese (Bryant)’s throw to the infield was high and tipped off of Michael Paez’s (Coastal Carolina) glove at short, allowing a run to score.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Kettleers loaded the bases, but Tim Susnara (Oregon) lined out sharply to short to end the inning.

An inning later, Paez walked to lead off the frame, before stealing second with one out and Albanese at the plate. Albanese hit a line drive up the middle in center field, scoring Paez.

With two outs, Stephens blasted one over the “320” sign in left field for a two-run homer. Head coach Mike Roberts threw his hands in the air and celebration and Stephens trotted across the plate, taking his helmet off and tapping it with Albanese and Gaa.

But Harwich answered in the next half inning. Susnara attempted to catch a runner stealing, but his throw sailed into the outfield. Jack Klein (Stanford) threw to third and Gaa tagged the runner, but the ball popped out of his glove. Saige Jenco (Virginia Tech) hit a single to score one and tie the game. Nick Walker (Notre Dame) hit a line drive into left-center that Klein dove to grab, but another run scored tagging up. Another sacrifice fly — this one to right — gave the Mariners a 5-3 lead.

The Kettleers were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh to end the first game.