By Jon Mettus
August 3, 2015
Summary
The Harbor Hawks hitters took advantage early and often to ultimately beat the Kettleers, 10-3, in game one of the first round of the playoffs. A two-error first inning let Hyannis jump out to a 3-0 lead then a home run off Jon Woodcock (Virginia Tech) made it 6-0 by the end of the third. Cotuit scored two runs and loaded the bases in the sixth inning, but was never able to mount a comeback attempt and lost to Hyannis for the seventh time this season.
At the plate
Spencer Gaa (Bradley) went 2-for-5 with a run batted in and was the only Kettleers player with multiple hits. He drove in Cotuit’s first run with a grounder up the middle in the sixth inning. The bases were loaded and Tim Susnara (Oregon) scored from third.
In the field
Usual-catcher Will Haynie (Alabama) took a day off from behind the plate and was Cotuit’s designated hitter. Instead, Michael Cantu (Texas) caught. The Kettleers usual first baseman, Branden Berry (Cal State Northridge), started in right field for the first time all season. The defensive alignment didn’t seem to work out, as two errors on one play in the first inning led to three unearned runs.
Noteable number
7 — The Kettleers have lost to Hyannis all seven times the two teams have played this year. If they can’t get No. 8 on Tuesday, their season will be over.
Quote
“We got to play up. We just haven’t played up to our ability. The guys on this club have a lot more ability. I don’t know if it’s a lack of self-confidence or what it is, but they just got to play up.” — head coach Mike Roberts
Up next
Game two will be at Lowell Park at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. For Cotuit, it’s win or go home.