By Matt Feldman
Syracuse University

July 17, 2016

COTUIT — The Kettleers (11-19-1) lost to the Falmouth Commodores (19-12), 3-0, Sunday evening at Lowell Park in Cotuit. The Kettleers put runners in scoring position three times, but an inability to capitalize and an early attack from the Commodores proved decisive in Cotuit’s second straight loss.

Sunday’s 3-0 loss comes just days after Cotuit won four straight games in one of the hottest Cape League streaks of July.

At the plate

Cotuit posted just four hits Sunday, but found itself in multiple threatening situations offensively.

In the second inning, Alonzo Jones (Vanderbilt) singled into left field and stole second base during the subsequent at bat, but a Clay Fisher (UC Santa Barbara) pop out ended the threat.

In the third, after a Quinn Brodey (Stanford) ground ball into the second base hole, Jack Klein (Stanford) smashed a double into left field. Brodey rounded third, slowed down, then was waved home by Cotuit head coach Mike Roberts. Unfortunately, the indecision at third proved costly for Brodey as he slid into the tag at home plate for the third out of the inning.

In the field

Cotuit posted yet another error-free game Sunday, but a faulty start from starter Justin Hooper (UCLA) let Falmouth in the game early.

Hooper allowed all three Falmouth runs Sunday, and allowed five of the Commodores’ six hits on the night. He walked three in four innings of work, and was pulled entering the fifth inning by Roberts, opting for reliever Alec Byrd (Florida State).

Byrd and his relief counterpart Rio Gomez (Arizona) were strong after Falmouth’s early onset of runs, closing the final five innings of the game and allowing just one hit and no runs.

Still, Falmouth’s three early runs were all it took Sunday, as the Commodores took their third win over Cotuit this season, 3-0.