By Ben Fischer
University of Maryland
July 19, 2018
COTUIT – After Zane Collins (Wright State) made a triumphant return to starting in the Kettleers’ 3-3 tie in Harwich on Wednesday, Luke Chevalier (Northern State) repeated the feat Thursday, holding the Hyannis Harbor Hawks to just one run in six innings.
Luke Chevalier (Northern State) matched a season high with four strikeouts against Hyannis
However, unlike Wednesday, the Cotuit bats exploded behind Chevalier, bashing Hyannis pitching en route to a 7-2 victory.
Chevalier, making just his third start allowed just three hits and tied a season-high with four strikeouts. Chevalier credited his success to mixing his pitches.
“Obviously I didn’t have the sharpest stuff with my offspeed,” Chevalier said. “But I just liked to throw the fastball early and often and throw the slider to get some popups and I managed to be effective that way.”
Cotuit jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the second off Harbor Hawks starter Zach Kohn (Central Michigan). Catcher Garrett Wolforth (Dallas Baptist) started the scoring with two-run double down the left field line. Right fielder Will Robertson (Creighton) brought in two more runs with a single to right field.
Catcher Garrett Wolforth (Dallas Baptist) got his first hit as a Kettleer in the second inning against Hyannis
Hyannis scratched back a run in the top of the fifth with an RBI double by left fielder Matthew Barefoot (Campbell). Cotuit extended their lead in the bottom of the frame with RBI singles by first baseman Michael Toglia (UCLA) and left fielder Duke Ellis (Texas).
Hyannis gifted the Kettleers a third run in the fifth when an errant pickoff throw by pitcher Mike Mokma (Michigan State) brought in Toglia from third.
Coach Mike Roberts gave his offense credit for converting on their scoring opportunities, which they have struggled with all season.
“We got some clutch hitting with men on base,” Roberts said. “Garrett had a big hit, Will had a big hit and for the first time Toglia really swung the bat like I know he can.”
Toglia went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. His solid performance continued his return to form after a bad slump to start the year. Toglia credited his success to staying with
“I just felt confident today,” Toglia said. “The swing never really changes but today it felt good and I was just trying to get the barrel out there.”
Hyannis got another run in the seventh, when reliever Ryan Lefner (St. Louis) issued a one-out, bases-loaded walk to Barefoot. After a mound visit by pitching coach Jerry Weinstein, Lefner got a strike out and a fielder’s choice to escape the jam and keep the Kettleers’ lead at five.
The Kettleers win coupled with Bourne’s 8-2 loss to Y-D pushed Cotuit out of the cellar in the West division. The Kettleers will be back at home on Friday, facing the Chatham Anglers at 5 p.m. at Lowell Park.