By Kathleen Szmit
kszmit@barnstablepatriot.com

The Cotuit Kettleers have had a roller coaster-like start to their 2007 season but still maintain their hold on second place in the Western Division as of press time.

Playing at their Lowell Park home field for their home opener, the men in maroon put forth a solid effort against the Bourne Braves, but in the end fell 7-6.

The Kettleers bats started coming to life in the sixth, when Tony Delmonico hit a double before being brought in by another double by Aaron Baker.

The eighth inning was super as Cotuit exploded garnering five runs. Cory Figueroa, Delmonico and Baker each cracked singles, and Delmonico brought in the Kettleers’ second run when Mike Bianucci grounded into a fielder’s choice. 

A walk to Ryne White reloaded the bases before Cotuit pitcher Trey Barham clocked a bases clearing double that cut Bourne’s lead to 7-5. Curtis Dupart was later singled home by Jonathan Pigott to bring the Kettleers within one run, but strong pitching from the Braves prevented the Kettleers from advancing further.

On Saturday the Kettleers avenged the previous night’s loss to some degree, defeating the Brewster Whitecaps 6-5.

Again it was the eighth inning that saw the Kettleers roar to life with a three-run, two-out rally. With the Whitecaps in the lead, Mike Bianucci hit a nice single, followed by a White walk and an exciting double steal.

Jason Rook brought in the tying run with a two-run single before Ryan Lollis brought in the game winner with an RBI single.

In their first Patriot Cup outing the defending champ Kettleers managed to hold off the Mets, winning by one run 9-8 after an interesting error-plagued game that saw Robert Stock clock a beautiful three-run homer, his first of his CCBL career. 

In the bottom of the fifth, the Kettleers batted around, sending 13 men to the plate and garnering eight runs to overtake the stunned Mets. 

White, Figueroa, and Josh Harrison all singled to get on base, while Aaron Baker hit a ‘bloop’ single to left field.

For his second hit of the game Delmonico hit a single and brought in the tying run. Rook then put Cotuit up 4-3 with his own single before Bianucci gave the Kettleers a two-run lead on a fielder’s choice. 

A pitching change from the Mets didn’t stop Cotuit’s momentum as Lollis cracked an infield single right before Stock let loose and launched his sweet home run into right field to bring in three more runs.

Monday night the Kettleers took a veritable beating, falling 15-1 to the defending CCBL champion Y-D Red Sox. Delmonico snagged the only run for Cotuit.

Tuesday night the Kettleers returned to fighting form, clipping the Falmouth Commodores 8-6. 

Cotuit scored five of their eight runs during a terrific first inning. Infielder Harrison singled home two for the Kettleers in a game where the Kettleers’ base nabbing allowed them to reign supreme. Overall the Kettleers swiped eight bases, five in the first inning alone. 

Along with Harrison’s stellar single, Stock continued proving his worth at the plate, smashing a two-run single. Teammate Curtis Dupart was also great at bat, garnered a terrific RBI triple in the fourth that sent Cotuit fans cheering.

Home again on Wednesday the Kettleers faced the Harwich Mariners, falling 3-1 but still retaining their hold on second place. 

Returning player Reese Havens, who arrived in Cotuit just in time to watch Sunday night’s Cotuit-Hyannis game, singled before crossing the plate with Cotuit’s only run on a single from Josh Harrison. Havens also turned in a nice lunging throw in the third.

In spite of the loss, the game wasn’t lacking in stellar play from the Kettleers. Mike Cisco, also returning from 2006, pitched into the sixth for Cotuit, looking strong. 

First baseman White turned in an great diving catch that prevented a Harwich run with Mariner’s on first and third on a shot that bounced off teammate Delmonico’s glove. 

Cotuit is scheduled to play the Braves in Bourne tonight at 5 p.m. before facing Wareham Saturday night at Lowell Park.