by Courtney Swift
July 8, 2012
COTUIT – Cotuit pulled off a 14-8 win against division rival Hyannis Sunday. The day began with a dedication to one of the Kettleers own, Arnold Mycock. When the game began, the two teams combined for 14 runs in the first two innings. However, strong relief pitching held Hyannis to just one run in the last six innings allowing Cotuit to bounce back and take a commanding lead.
The Legend, Arnold Mycock, sporting his Kettleers jersey, #1 forever. (Photo by Rick Heath)
Friends and family sat by Mycock’s his side as Cotuit named their press box in his honor. Mycock served as the team’s general manager for 44 years. “I was surprised to tell you the truth,” he said. “It was certainly well put together. It’s nice to be recognized for accomplishing something that’s helped other people.” After some kind words from Coach Roberts, current General Manager Bruce Murphy, and team President Paul Logan, the 2012 team presented him with a signed bat and a customized jersey.
He is a legend in the Cape Cod Baseball League, being one of the first people inducted into the league’s Hall of Fame. The championship trophy is also named in his honor. Mycock began as a volunteer in 1950, as the official scorer, but he eventually took the leading role as GM. “I love the games,” he said. “I love the baseball. It’s so improved from the early days.”
Mycock did everything from cutting the grass, washing uniforms, hosting players, and organizing transportation to away games. His favorite thing of all however, was recruiting.
Mycock would take a two-week vacation each year driving around the country to the best baseball schools in the country. “If we had time, we’d drive up the West coast, hit all the big schools,” he said. Some of his favorite recruitments included Ron Darling who played in the majors for 12 years. Mycock smiled as he remembered a game where Darling came in from left field to pitch, striking out a couple batters and getting the save. Another player he remembered was Terry Steinbach, an all star with the Oakland Athletics. “He was the best catcher we ever had.”
When the game began, the Kettleers jumped quickly ahead scoring four times in the first inning to take a commanding lead. But Cotuit starter, Tim Mayza (Millersville) gave up seven runs to Hyannis, who took a 7-4 lead after its half of the second. The Kettleers scored three more runs in their half, and the score was tied 7-7 after two innings.
“I have a really good feel for all of my pitches right now” Dusty Isaacs (Georgia Tech) Photo by Joe Cavanaugh
With the game basically starting over, Dusty Isaacs (Georgia Tech) came in to relieve Mayza after just 1 1/3. Isaacs, who threw well in his last outing against Falmouth, pitched 3 2/3 innings giving up one run on three hits with one walk and two strikeouts. “I have a really good feel for all of my pitches right now,” he said. “Fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball I feel like I can really throw at any point in the count.”
Jordan Smith (Western Carolina), who has thrown in the starting rotation mostly this season, came in after Isaacs in the sixth. Smith threw three solid innings against the Harbor Hawks letting up no runs. He struck out one, and allowed just one hit. “The last two times out didn’t go as well as he wanted them to, Isaacs said. “But he’s worked hard to fix things, and he did great today.”
Mike Ford (Princeton) had an RBI single in the first and a two-run single in the seventh. (Photo by Joe Cavanaugh)
The pitching performance from the two relievers kept Hyannis at bay while the Kettleers climbed back into the game taking the lead for good. The Kettleers scored three unearned runs in the seventh inning to solidify their lead. James Roberts (USC) hit a one run single. One batter later, Mike Ford (Princeton) hit a two run single bringing the score to 14-8.
Roberts batted in four runs and went 4-5 for the second straight day. “James 4-5 two days in a row with wood bats is kind of unheard of,” said Coach Roberts. Left fielder Jacob May (Coastal Carolina) extended his hitting streak to 14 games. Patrick Biondi (Michigan) extended his own streak to nine games. Cotuit collected more than fifteen hits for the second straight day and scored runs in every inning but the sixth.
The Kettleers are now 11-10 on the season while the Harbor Hawks fall to 6-15. Cotuit now sits alone in second place just one game behind division leading Falmouth.
The team looks to catch up on some sleep with off days Monday and Wednesday. “It’ll help for sure I know a lot of guys are getting tired,” May said. “We’re looking forward to getting a little bit of off time, relax a little bit and then come back with some more energy.” They face Y-D (11-10) Tuesday at 5 p.m. For more post game interviews, visit Official Kettleers on YouTube.