By: Nick Solari, Writing Intern, Quinnipiac University
July 24, 2013
Cotuit 5, Brewster 4
Un-Beal-ievable
- Kettleers starting pitcher Evan Beal (South Carolina) had seven strikeouts on the night against Brewster, six of which coming on his slider. The other came in the seventh inning on a fastball.
Everyday Backstop:
- Nolan Clark (Concordia) has now started 15 straight games as the Kettleers catcher. Due to the shortage of catchers on the roster throughout the second half of the season, Clark has been forced to appear in 20 straight games, as well.
- He has been the only true catcher on the roster since Will Remillard’s (Coastal Carolina, Chicago Cubs) last appearance on July 6th.
Perfect Payton
- Kettleers right fielder Mark Payton (Texas) reached base in all four of his plate appearances tonight.
- Payton had a bunt single in the first, walked in the third, walked again in the fifth, then had another bunt single in the seventh.
Defensive Gems:
- Drew Jackson made the first big play in the field for the Kettleers. With leadoff hitter Scott Heineman (Oregon) on third base and one out in the inning, coach Mike Roberts elected to move the infield in. Three-hitter Trevor Mitsui (Washington) lined a ball towards Jackson, and the shortstop from Stanford made a leap, fully extended, and snagged the ball out of the air. The catch saved a run, as starter Evan Beal (South Carolina) got out of the top of the first unscathed.
- With one out in the top of the third inning Heineman tried stealing third base, and Cotuit catcher Nolan Clark made a perfect throw to gun him out. It was only the fourth time Heineman has been thrown out in 26 tries on the Cape.
- Danny Diekroeger (Stanford) made a diving stop and threw out David Armendarez (Cal Poly) to end the fourth inning. Diekroeger stabbed the ball down the line behind the third base bag, and made the long throw across the diamond.
- With no outs in the fifth Trent Woodward (Fresno St) grounded a ball in between first and second base. Logan Ratledge (NC State) ranged to his left, stabbed the ball at head-level, and made a sharp throw on to first. The ball was scooped nicely by first baseman Austin Byler (Nevada).
Versatility
- All-Star pitcher Jared Walsh (Georgia) got the start today as the Kettleers DH. He had only made three plate appearances prior to tonight’s game, going 1-2 with a double and a walk.
- He was 2-4 on the night with two singles, keeping his season batting average at .500.