By Megan Kerr, Asst. Web Editor
July 25, 2005

COTUIT, MA — Josh Johnson (Mississippi St., 6 Ks, 2 BBs) shut out the Orleans Cardinals for eight innings as he improved his record to 4-0 on the season with Cotuit’s 5-0 win at home Sunday afternoon.

The Eastern Division powerhouse Cardinals’ attack was kept completely off-balance the entire game, whereas the Kettleers were able to get going against Andy Graham (UC Santa Barbara, 2 Ks, 2 BBs) in the sixth inning, scoring two runs and giving Graham his second loss of the season.

Emeel Salem (Alabama, 1-3) led of the sixth inning with a hit to get the attack going, and then quickly stole second base for his team-leading 12th steal of the season to put immediate pressure on Graham. Brad Boyer (Arizona, 2-3, RBI) then knocked in the game-deciding RBI as he singled to bring in Salem. After throwing 66 pitches, it was clear that Graham wasn’t as effective as he had been in previous innings; Graham had allowed only two hits up until that point in the game.

The Cardinals brought in Daniel Albritton (Florida Southern, 2 Ks, 1 BB) to try and stop the bleeding but Albritton allowed one of his inherited runners to score as Todd Davison (Delaware, 0-4, 1 RBI) collected his 16th RBI of the season to bring in Boyer, giving Cotuit a 2-0 advantage.

While the Cardinals bats were unable to answer the challenge, Cotuit kept their attack going as they added three more insurance runs in the eighth inning. Bryan Harris (LSU, 1-2, RBI) picked up his 24th RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly, and Shane Jordan (Stetson, 1-2, RBI) hit his first triple of the season to round out the scoring for the Kettleers. Cotuit wasn’t going to give up a five run advantage and they brought in Derik Olvey (Notre Dame) to close out the game.

The Cardinals went down fairly quietly in the ninth, giving Cotuit its 17th win on the season. Tomorrow, the Kettleers are looking to beat the Harwich Mariners as the playoffs are fast approaching, meaning that it is now officially crunch time as every game matters in the very close Western Division.