story by Steve McCarthy
July 10, 2009
HYANNIS – The Hyannis Mets and the Cotuit Kettleers both had double digit hits, but the Mets were able to double the Kettleers run production, winning 6-3 and claiming the 2009 Barnstable Patriot Cup on their home field.
The Mets (9-11-1) have taken three of five games against the Kettleers, and a 3-3 tie on July 3 decided the six game season series.
“I really like the way Hyannis plays,” Cotuit manager Mike Roberts said. “They play small ball really well. Their two guys in the middle are outstanding.”
Cotuit (8-11-2) tallied 12 hits to Hyannis’ 10, but left eight runners stranded, including three in scoring position. A pair of throwing errors on consecutive plays by Cotuit catcher Cameron Rupp (Texas) led to one of five runs scored during Kettleers starting pitcher Seth Blair’s outing. Just three of the runs were earned.
“We made three errors. They banged base hits behind all of them, and that’s what a good club’s supposed to do,” Roberts said.
Eric Maust (Notre Dame) picked up the win in relief for the Mets, as Hyannis broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning during his inning and one-third of work. He followed starter Tyler Wilson (Virginia). Maust allowed Cotuit’s third run in the seventh inning, along with four hits while striking out two.
Dallas Gallant (Sam Houston) closed the door in the ninth for his second save. The Kettleers last three innings of offense all ended with consecutive strikeouts. Mark Gormley (Brown) struck out four in an inning and two-thirds between Maust and Gallant.
Blair (2-1) took his first loss of the season for Cotuit in his third appearance. He surrendered seven hits and three walks while striking out four through six and one-third innings. He was relieved by Matt Grace (UCLA), who allowed a run on three hits and struck out one in the final inning and two-thirds.
Johnny Ruettiger (Arizona State) went 2-for-4 with a leadoff triple in the eighth inning for Hyannis. He scored the game’s final run on a squeeze bunt by Trent Whitehead (East Carolina). Ryan Cuneo (Delaware) doubled in his fourth at bat to go with a pair of singles and two runs scored. Nick Crawford (UAB) and Cody Hawn (Tennessee) also had two hits apiece.
Crawford staked a 1-0 lead in the first inning for the Mets from the leadoff spot that held for three innings. He moved up to second on an errant throw to first by Blair, and then scored on a double by Hawn.
Cotuit briefly held a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when B.J. Guinn (Cal-Berkeley) and Zack Cox (Arkansas) provided RBI-singles, driving in Jeff Rowland (Georgia Tech) and Brandon May (Alabama). Cox went 4-for-5 to lead four Kettleers with multiple hits.
Hyannis tied the game in the home half of the inning when Cuneo scored from second on an RBI-single by Ruettiger. Cuneo scored from third in the sixth inning on Rupp’s errant throw down to second on a first-and-third steal attempt by Dustin Harrington (East Carolina). Harrington then scored from second on an RBI-single by Dan Burkhart (Ohio St.). Hyannis’ fifth run came in the following inning when Cuneo’s long double plated Hawn from first base.
“Coach Roberts has been telling us we’ve got to start doing the little things right,” Guinn said. “Little things that will make the whole difference in the game. Hopefully we can step up and start doing that within the next couple days.”
Cotuit returns to Lowell Park on Saturday for a 5 p.m. game against Bourne.