By Matt Feldman and Jon Mettus
Syracuse University

Aug. 3, 2016

COTUIT — The Kettleers fell to Wareham (25-15-4), 6-0, in their final game of the season. Cotuit finished the year 15-28-1 and in fifth place in the West, missing the playoffs. It’s the first time Cotuit has missed the playoffs since 2011.

The Kettleers dug themselves a hole to start the season, going 1-12, but were able to make a playoff push in the final weeks of the year. The Achilles’ heel of Cotuit was its record in one-run games. The Kettleers finished just 2-12 in games decided by one tally.

Josh Roberson makes first start of the summer

Josh Roberson (UNC-Wilmington) made his first start of the summer for Cotuit Wednesday evening. The right hander saw himself primarily used this season as a late-inning reliever and closer. Coming into Wednesday’s game, Roberson held a 4.79 ERA in 20-⅓ innings pitched.

Roberson started shaky for the Kettleers, allowing two runs in the first inning and another run in the third. He gave up five hits in the loss, but most of his troubles Wednesday were with control, walking four Gatemen in his four and one third innings of work.

Cotuit native T.J. Wardwell starts

Cotuit native T.J. Wardwell (Mt. Aloysius) made his Kettleers debut and first start on Wednesday after being originally added to the team on July 24.

The former Barnstable High School infielder started as the designated hitter batting ninth. In his first at bat in the bottom of the third, Wardwell worked his way to a full count before being called out on strikes.

Wardwell’s second plate appearance came in the bottom of the sixth inning with a runner on first. He fought for another full count, fouling off one with the count full. But he ultimately popped out to the shortstop.

In the bottom of the eighth, Wardwell was pinch-hit for by Pat Dorrian (Lynn). Dorrian grounded out to second.

Gerics throws for the first time since July 18

David Gerics (Pomona-Pitzer) saw his first action for Cotuit since he last threw on July 18 at Falmouth. The right hander entered the game in the fifth inning after Roberson was pulled.

Gerics threw three full innings Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks. In the sixth inning, Alex Destino (South Carolina) mashed a two-run home run to deep right field off of Gerics. The homer pushed the score to 5-0, and the Gatemen would add one more in the eighth, making the score 6-0, where it would stay.