By John S. Condakes
JUNE 25, 2008
BOURNE — After two straight rainouts Cotuit’s local nine got back in action to make up Monday’s washout at Doran Park in Bourne. The result was the same as the Kettleers’ last visit to Bourne as they defeated the Braves 8-3. Even with the two days of rest there was no rust in the Kettleer bats as they got off to a quick start in the first. Right fielder Jason Kipnis of Arizona State got it going with a lead-off single and center fielder Brett Jackson of UC Berkeley followed with a walk. Coach Mike Roberts called for a hit-and-run with no outs and shortstop Robbie Shields (Florida Southern) at bat and it paid off as Cotuit was able to stay out of a double play while Kipnis and Jackson advanced to second and third. Third baseman Jeff Kobernus of UC Berkeley stepped up and delivered a two-out two run RBI single as the Kettleers took the early lead. Second baseman Dallas Poulk of NC State reached on an error putting two runners on in front of left fielder Mike Bianucci (Auburn). Bianucci delivered with a bases-clearing triple to put Cotuit up 4-0. Catch Robert Stock of USC scored Bianucci on an RBI single to cap the scoring at 5-0 in favor of the good guys.
In the second inning, Shields took full advantage of a breeze blowing towards left field and cracked his second home run of the season out of the park to put Cotuit up 6-0 after two.
Nate Garcia (Santa Clara) made his second start and pitched well for the Kettleers. He flirted with a no-hitter until the bottom of the fifth inning and played excellent defense. Garcia’s glove started a double play to end the bottom of the fourth and he exited the game after five innings with a line of one unearned run on one hit with three walks and three strikeouts for the win.
First baseman Kevin Patterson of Auburn injured his hand in the fifth inning after getting caught stealing. He left the game and was taken for x-rays. Dan Black (Purdue) replaced Patterson at first.
Danny Meszaros from the College of Charleston replaced Garcia in the sixth inning and pitched two innings of shutout relief while giving up two hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
The Kettleer offense slowed down a bit until the seventh inning. With the score 6-1, the Kettleer bats added two more runs. Designated hitter Evan Crawford of Indiana pulled a double down the left field line and would later score on a double by Jackson. Black joined the hit parade and doubled home Jackson on a hit down the right field line. After the three doubles the score was 8-1 in favor of Cotuit.
The Braves struck back against Clay Caulfield (College of Charleston) for two runs in the bottom of the eighth but that would be all they could muster as Sam Brown of NC State shut the door with a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the win. The Kettleers will return to Lowell Park tomorrow at 5 p.m. to host the two-time defending champion Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and will look to avenge their 9-8 loss from last week.