Rain is fast becoming the bane of the existence of many Cape folks, including the Cape Cod Baseball League. 

An early morning soaking last Thursday left both McKeon and Lowell parks too soggy for play on opening day, much to the disappointment of loyal fans.

Fortunately they didn’t have to wait long as both teams held their openers at their respective fields a day later.

COTUIT KETTLEERS IN ACTION

COTUIT – The Kettleers’ season got off to a great start Friday evening with a win over the Brewster Whitecaps. 

Dan Delucia, on the mound through eight innings for Cotuit, was impressive during the delayed opener. The temp from Ohio State allowed just three hits and one earned run while striking out four Whitecaps. 

At bat the Kettleers dominated, pounding out 16 hits with three runs in the second and two each in the third and fourth. 

Tennessee’s Tony Delmonico demonstrated his talents and went four for five. Designated hitter Kellen Kulbacki stirred things up as he went three for five with two stellar doubles for his team, including a neat RBI double in the fourth, and scoring runs in the second and third.

Belmont’s Tony Thomas also went three for four and Brett Lilley went two for two for the Kettleers. 

In the end the Kettleers trumped the Whitecaps 8-2, kicking off what fans anticipate will be a successful season.


HYANNIS METS IN ACTION

HYANNIS – With last season’s struggles fresh in their minds, Mets fans are hoping the 2006 season will be successful. The team fell in its home opener against the Wareham Gatemen, 5-3. 

Nonetheless, the Mets put forth a valiant effort. Starter Matt Daly held tight until the third inning when the Gatemen began their charge, racking up all five hits before the fourth inning ended.

Refusing to go down without a fight, the Mets rallied in the fourth when Vanderbilt’s Ryan Flaherty hit a solid double to left center and drove home Sean O’Brien of Virginia Tech. Ramon Corona (NC State) followed with a bat-breaking single over the shortstop’s head that allowed Flaherty to cross the plate from second.

In the fifth, catcher Max Arsenault of Southern Maine hit a nice single to lead off the inning, claiming third base following a hit by teammate Jared McGuire (Boston College). Arsenault scored on a sacrifice fly by West Point’s Milan Dinga, finishing at two for four.

McGuire turned in the defensive play of the game with a terrific diving catch in left field to end the seventh inning.

Charlie Furbush, the southpaw from St. Joseph’s College in Maine, was impressive on the mound as relief pitcher. Furbush contributed four scoreless innings and two strikeouts and remained in the game until the eighth. He was replaced by Gary Lee (South Carolina–Aiken), who threw a perfect ninth.

In spite of matching the Gatemen with 10 hits, the Mets just couldn’t find the plate, leaving players stranded at critical moments. 

While some fans are worried about a repeat of last year, the more dedicated among them are quick to note that the season has only just begun.

By Kathleen Szmit Manwaring
kmanwaring@barnstablepatriot.com