By: Matt McHugh
Northwestern University
June 23, 2017
Video Game Recap by Cierra Jordan, Matt McHugh, and Matt Liberman 

BREWSTER — The Cotuit Kettleers (5-4) caught fire in the sixth inning, putting six runs on the board on their way to a 12-6 win over the Brewster Whitecaps (4-3), snapping a four-game losing streak. But it all started with a controversial play.

In the top of the sixth inning, Chandler Avant (Alabama) hit a deep fly ball to centerfield that bounced near the fence – the only question was whether it bounced in front of or behind the outfield wall. The outfield grass at Stony Brook field continues past the chain-link centerfield fence, making it nearly impossible to determine where the ball bounced roughly 395 feet away from home plate.  

Third baseman John Cresto (Santa Clara) had three doubles in Friday’s win. Photo by Rick Heath

Initially, the umpiring crew called it a home run, but after further discussion, and a heated argument with coach Mike Roberts, the call was changed to a double.

“I did legitimately think it went over,” Roberts said. “Not because my eyes are better, but because you normally tell your outfielder to raise their arms immediately when the ball bounces over. And [Brewster centerfielder Devin Foyle] didn’t put his hands up. That’s the reason I thought that at least his indication was the ball went over.”

“It’s not the umpires’ fault,” Roberts added. “It’s honestly the four-foot fences – every field should have at least seven or eight-foot fences.”

However, that did not stop the Kettleers, as three batters later, Luke Alexander (Mississippi State) singled to right to score two runs and give Cotuit a 5-4 lead. With two outs, the Kettleers added to that lead with a John Cresto (Santa Clara) double and a Brett Kinneman (NC State) triple. When the inning was all said and done, the Kettleers added six runs on five hits, and took a 9-5 lead.

“We struggled a little at first to get barrels on the balls, but after some tough at bats, we got the pitch count up and we focused on stamping the ball and hitting balls in all directions on the field,” Cresto said.

As well as the sixth inning went, the game started off on a very different note. Brian Rapp (Boston College) had a tough start in his Kettleers debut. He gave up three hits and walked three, allowing four runs to score, before being pulled after just 0.1 innings pitched.

However, the Kettleers were able to keep the game close, thanks in large part to left-hander Adam Scott (Wofford). Scott went the next 4.2 innings for Cotuit, and allowed just three baserunners and no runs while striking out four batters. Scott more than doubled his innings total for the season, and his ERA now sits at 2.07.

In the fifth inning, shortstop Zack Kone (Duke) continued his red-hot ways at the plate, blasting a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 4-3. Kone is now hitting .387 with a team-leading 8 RBIs.

Kone’s college teammate, Griffin Conine (Duke), had another solid day of his own, with two hits and two runs scored. Conine has at least one hit in each of the nine Kettleers’ games this season, and has his batting average up to .472.

The Kettleers return home on Saturday, as they host the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. The Whitecaps have an off day on Saturday, and will stay home to host the Bourne Braves on Sunday.