Kettleers remain on top
Loss to Falmouth doesn’t put out the fire

 July 20, 2006


 

  
The Kettleers had the wind temporarily taken out of their sails this week when their seven-game winning streak ended with a loss to the Falmouth Commodores during Sunday night at Lowell Field.


KATHLEEN SZMIT PHOTOS
STANDING READY – Jeff Rea keeps his eye on the ball during Cotuit’s win against the Y-D Red Sox Tuesday evening. 

The Kettleers offense was shut out for the first time all season, unable to get behind the stellar pitching of James Simmons.

During the seven and two-thirds innings Simmons struck out six, giving him a team-lead th victory of the season.Patriot Cup.

ing 27 strikeouts for the season, in spite of suffering his first loss.

Although Cotuit attempted a rally in the sixth inning, a questionable call by the ump halted their efforts and deflated the team. When Josh Hula tried to squeeze in a score from Matt Angle. It appeared that Angle was able to slide beneath Mitch Canham before being tagged out. The ump, however, saw differently, and called Angle out, much to the dismay of the crowd.

As the sun dipped below the trees in the ninth inning, Cotuit bowed quietly, notching a ground out and two strikeouts to end the game 2-0. 

On Monday the Kettleers traveled to Bourne, determined to reclaim their A game. Thanks to an impressive performance by Eric Farris who provided the Cotuit offense with the jolt it needed, the Kettleers took Bourne 5-1.

Cotuit wasted no time in attacking the Braves’ pitcher, Kyle Walker, as Farris came out swinging. With runners on second and third and two outs, Farris singled to bring in Jeff Rea and Reese Havens, giving the Kettleers a two-run advantage.

Farris continued to be instrumental in the Kettleers’ triumph. Havens kicked off the fifth inning with a single before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Sean Gaston, putting Havens in scoring position when Farris stepped to the plate. 

With fans cheering, Farris netted a double, bringing in Havens, before crossing home himself on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Russell. 

Cotuit snagged one more run in the bottom of the ninth as Kellen Kulbacki hit his first homer of the season, giving the Kettleers their 17

Sean Gaston was the man of the hour after Tuesday night’s win over Eastern Division leaders Y-D. Gaston began the hit fest with a beautiful two-run homer over the right field fence. The hit marked Gaston’s second home run of the season.

Although the scoring was close, with a final tally of 6-5, the Kettleers were stellar in spite of sweltering heat. 

Kellen Kulbacki turned in another home run, his second this week, while Justin Smoak brought in three with a solid hit to deep right field. 

Pitchers Graham Godfrey, Tim Ladd and Cory Gearrin all turned in impressive performances, with Graham securing his first win of the season. 

The Kettleers remain on top of the Western Division at 18-7-1 overall. They take on the Wareham Gatemen tonight and play the Mets on Sunday in game 5 of the race for the 

By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring
kmanwaring@barnstablepatriot.com


 


Back to BarnstablePatriot.com home page

All information copyright OTTAWAY NEWSPAPERS, Inc., 2004
396 Main Street, Suite 15 - P.O. Box 1208 Hyannis, MA 02601 - (508) 771-1427 - FAX: (508) 790-3997
EMAIL: editor@barnstablepatriot.com or publisher@barnstablepatriot.com