by Zach Kaplan

Penn State University

June 13, 2018

COTUIT– Here’s a few notes from Tuesday’s season opener while we wait to see whether any of Peyton Burdick’s home runs have actually landed yet.

• John Baker (Ball State, pictured on right) had velocity in the upper 80’s to start for Cotuit, and stayed pretty consistent speed-wise. His control wavered a bit at times early, but overall he had a very solid outing for the Kettleers, going five shutout innings with eight strikeouts.
  

  John Baker (Ball State) on the mound for the Kettleers on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 against Brewster.

  

  Peyton Burdick (Wright State) hitting one of his three home runs against the Brewster Whitecaps on June 12, 2018 at Lowell Park.

• Peyton Burdick (Wright State, left) was the story of the game for Cotuit as his three home-run, 7 RBI day was as good as it gets on Opening Day.
• In his first at-bat, he battled and then drove a 3-2 pitch over the fence in left-center field for a two-run home run. The ball was absolutely smashed, as it flew out of Lowell Park at 106 miles per hour. 
• Speaking of looking good in his debut, Tom Dillard (Ole Miss) looked good as well, driving a double into left-center field for his first at-bat of the 2018 season.
• Dillard later came around to score on an RBI single by Eric Jones (Davidson). Overall, he went 2 for 2 on the day with two hits and two walks, coming around to score twice. 
• Peter Gammons and Jeff Bagwell both made appearances at the season opener for the Kettleers. The Baseball Hall of Fame member and former Houston Astro was in attendance to watch some of the Brewster players, while Gammons mentioned that he tries to attend at least a few games per year, mainly in Cotuit and Falmouth. He resides in Bourne.
• The Brewster pitching staff had a tough game, and were never really able to get anything going against the hot Cotuit bats.
• Starter Ashton Raines (Bloomsburg) lasted only an inning, giving up five runs on six hits. Seth Lonsway (Ohio State) came on in the second, going three innings and giving up two runs on one hit. 
• The Kettleers will be back in action on Wednesday, when they host the Bourne Braves at Lowell Park. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.