By Will Kraus, Bates College
Photos by Josh Muir, Endicott College
June 30, 2019
Cotuit fell to Wareham 1-0 on Sunday at Spillane Field, but there were plenty of positive performances despite the loss.
Wolf’s Five Shutout Innings
Jackson Wolf (West Virginia) was fantastic at Wareham, allowing just four hits and no runs over five innings in his third start for Cotuit.
Wolf slings it home at Wareham
Over fourteen and two thirds innings this season Wolf has a solid 2.45 ERA and a stellar WHIP(Walks plus hits per innings pitched) of just .82 to go along with fifteen punchouts.
“We played them yesterday so I got to see all their hitters yesterday and find out their tendencies.” Jackson said postgame.
“I had a little stat sheet written down, so I was prepared for everybody who stepped up to the plate tonight. I felt in control all game.”
The 6-7 left-hander certainly looked in control and comfortable as he shut down one of the best lineups in the Cape League.
Wolf continued to explain the reasons for his success postgame.
“My general rule of thumb is to just get ahead in the count. You can never go wrong with just throwing strikes so that’s what I always try to do and then depending on the scouting report I switch my pitches up but other than that I try to throw strikes out there.”
Wolf seemed very pleased with his Kettleers experience, saying “I’ve had a great time. The teammates I’ve met here have all been awesome. We’ve already formed some great relationships and memories. The coaches have been awesome. The fans are great in Cotuit, and my host family is a great family so I’m really feeling welcomed here and I’m happy I’m here.”
Coach Roberts and Cotuit are undoubtedly happy he’s here too as Wolf is turning into a very reliable starting arm for the 2019 Kettleers.
Cotuit’s Defense Does It
It was apparent that Cotuit was dialed in defensively from the very first inning. With Wareham threatening with runners on the corners and one out a hard hit ball to shortstop Adam Oviedo (Oral Roberts) turned into a nifty 6-4-3 double play to get out of the inning as Oviedo quickly pivoted to second baseman Nick Gonzales (New Mexico State), who threw a timely dart to first baseman Mason McWhorter (Georgia Southern) to keep the game scoreless.
Anu shows off his great grab
Oraj Anu (Kentucky) made a fantastic diving catch in right field as he dove to his right in the bottom of the third to keep Wareham from extra bases.
Parker Chavers (Coastal Carolina) showed off his strong arm in the bottom of the fifth, cutting down a Wareham runner trying to score from second easily.
Oviedo started another key double play in the bottom of the seventh. Wareham had just scored and was in great position to add another. They had runners on second and third with one out when Oviedo snatched a line drive just above his head then fired it to Schmitt at third before the base runner could dive back safely to keep it a one run game.
While Cotuit obviously struggled offensively, the defensive display the Kettleers put on Sunday night combined with Wolf’s performance bodes well for the team as they head into July.
Next Game
The Kettleers (7-7-2) welcome the Hyannis Harbor Hawks (3-11-1) to Lowell Park on Monday. First pitch is set for 5 PM.