Produced by Cierra Jordan
By: Matt McHugh
Northwestern University
July 16, 2017
WAREHAM — Despite another strong pitching performance, the Cotuit Kettleers (14-14-1) could not muster up enough offense as they lost their fifth straight game. The Wareham Gatemen (13-15-1) won their second straight game against Cotuit with a 4-1 victory at Spillane Field on Sunday.
Griffin Conine (Duke) launched his 7th home run of the season in Cotuit’s 4-1 loss at Wareham.During this skid, the Kettleers have suffered from a serious offensive drought, scoring just two runs on seven hits over their past three games combined. Griffin Conine (Duke) hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, marking just the second hit for Cotuit in the game.Miller Hogan (St. Louis) threw seven shutout innings against Cotuit, and did not allow a hit through the first six innings. Due to an innings limit, Sunday’s game was his final start of the season, and he leaves Wareham with a 1.08 ERA in 25 innings.
“We ran into a lot of good arms the last couple days,” Conine said. “We’ve seen a lot of starters go deep into games and mix pitches really well. When they’re throwing breaking balls in 2-1 and 3-1 counts, that makes it really hard feel comfortable at the dish.”
Conine’s blast snapped an 0-10 skid for the Kettleers outfielder, and brought his total on the season to seven.
“Yeah that was nice,” Conine said. “Would’ve been nice to have a couple guys on there, but just for my confidence that was good to get one out after these last couple games.”
The Kettleers had left-hander Mitch Stallings (Duke) make a spot start, his first start of the summer, and he went 2.1 innings. After two shutout frames, he allowed a double, threw a wild pitch and gave up a single, which knocked him out of the game in the third.
In relief of Stallings, the Kettleers went with Austin Kitchen and Brian Rapp, who combined to allow two runs over the final 5.2 innings. But the Kettleers did not pick up their first hit until the 7th inning, when Greyson Jenista singled up the middle.
“There’s nothing specific to fix,” coach Roberts said. “Maybe this is just a streaky team. I’m waiting for the other streak tot start. Sometimes it just takes a couple swings. They’ve been very close ball games, a couple swings here and there between the wins and losses, so we’re excited to get back out there tomorrow.”
The Kettleers started July with a 6-1 record, but they have now gone a full week without a win. Their last victory came on July 9 at Lowell Park against Harwich.
“The way we’ll look at it tomorrow is the season is at 0-0,” Roberts said. “I still like our club a lot, but right now we’re just in a little rough go of it.”
The Kettleers return home tomorrow to host the Bourne Braves at 5 p.m. at Lowell Park. The Gatemen have an off day.