by Evan Barber (Living the Dream Blog)
Interview by Evan Barber: Coach Roberts, Andrew Heaney, Coach Jeff Trundy
July 20, 2011
COTUIT – The Falmouth Commodores made sure the Cotuit Kettleers knew they would have to work for the final playoff spot.
With a win the Kettleers could have moved out of the basement and tied the Commodores for 4th place in the Western Division. The Commodores, however, had other plans, routing the Kettleers 11-2, keeping Cotuit on the outside of the playoff picture.
“Are we at a position that I didn’t expect us to be here in Cotuit with the caliber players we have here? Yeah, I am, but we need to pick it up tomorrow in Chatham.” Said Cotuit Coach Mike Roberts of his team’s chase for a playoff spot.
Despite a playoff spot being on the line, the Commodores showed no sign of pressure. This was exemplified by their starter Andrew Heaney (Oklahoma State). Heaney pitched seven full and gave up one earned on five hits. Heaney also sat down five men on strike outs, good for his 4th win of the year.
“I mean you always want to pitch well. It’s a nice day, there’s scouts, good players on the other team and cool stuff like that. Nobody is going to crack under the pressure. We’ve all been here before,” said Heaney on the potential pressure.
Heaney’s performance was the fire needed for the Commodores.
“His outing was what we fed off of. It just gave everybody confidence and that’s what you need,” said Falmouth Coach Jeff Trundy.
It was the Kettleers who scored first. In the first inning Victor Roache (Georgia Southern) ripped a double down the third base side that tiptoed on the line and just stayed fair. Two batters later Ryon Healy (Oregon) hit one to left center field that was enough to score Roache for the only Cotuit run of the game.
The Commodores spread their scoring out between five innings. Commodores crossed the plate in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 9th, the biggest of run floods coming in the 9th.
Mason McVay (Forida International) was on the bump for the Kettleers in the final frame, and it took him six batters to get the first out. Jared King (Kansas State), and Shane Rowland (Miami) drew back-to-back walks to start the inning. Eric Garcia (Missouri) laced a single to left that loaded the bases. Kyle VonTungeln (TCU) hit one off the wall in right to score King and Rowland. Jake Rodriguez singled to right to score Garcia and it was 10-1 Commodores. Jeremy Baltz (St. John’s) sent one on a line to the gap in right to score VonTungeln. McVay ended up striking out three straight batters to end the inning.
With the loss the Kettleers remain in last place in the Western Division with a record of 12-19-2. The Kettleers and Anglers face off tonight in the battle of the last place teams at Veterans Field in Chatham. The rain make-up game postponed from July 8th begins at 7:00.