By Zach Kaplan
Penn State University
June 16, 2018
ORLEANS– While protests erupted from the Orleans dugout and players, Adam Oviedo (TCU) continued to round the bases following his game-breaking grand slam.
The controversy of the game came in the top half of the fourth inning. The Kettleers loaded the bases after two quick outs, setting the stage for Oviedo.
The shortstop drove a pitch into the left field corner, seemingly for a foul ball. But the home plate umpire saw it as fair, giving the Kettleers their first grand slam of the season.
“It was a inner-half slider that was kind of low, fortunately was able to drive it out,” said Oviedo. “Once I saw the umpire throw the hands up that it was out of here, I just kept cruising.”
Oviedo’s blast provided the difference in the game, as the Kettleers got back to .500 on the season, defeating the Orleans Firebirds 6-2 on Saturday at Eldredge Park.
Adam Oviedo’s grand slam was the difference in a 6-2 win over Orleans on Saturday.
“Adam [Oviedo] has gotten a little better day-by-day, so I was thrilled for him. He had a couple hits, and that was a big hit for us to get back into the win column.”, said manager Mike Roberts postgame.
The Kettleers had a runner on base to start the game as Peyton Burdick (Wright State) was hit by a pitch, but the threat ended quickly as a line drive was caught and turned into a double play on a great play by Orleans first baseman Logan Wyatt (Louisville).
Luke Chevalier got the win on Saturday, giving up two runs in 5 2/3 innings against Orleans.
The second inning saw the Firebirds take the first lead of the game as Spencer Steer (Oregon) hit a two-run home run over the left field fence.
The Kettleers would respond right back in the next frame. After Keaton Weisz (Coastal Carolina) got aboard with an infield single, Will Robertson hit a two-run home run to nearly the exact same spot over the left field fence to tie the game.
Both teams were quiet at bat in the middle frames as each team’s pitching settled in. Luke Chevalier (Northern State) went 5 ⅔ innings for the Kettleers, allowing two runs on five hits, with four strikeouts.
Deacon Medders (Alabama) was able to come out of the bullpen and throw 3 ⅓ scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while adding two strikeouts for the Kettleers. After the game, Roberts liked what he saw out of both pitchers on Saturday.
“He and Deacon both threw strikes. This is a small ballpark, and you have to do that,” said Roberts after the game. “Luke did an extremely nice job, and Deacon was able to have a second great outing.”
While the Firebirds had a runner on in the ninth inning, Oviedo turned a ground ball into a game-ending 6-4-3 double play to seal the win for Cotuit.
The Kettleers get back at it on Sunday with a Fathers Day doubleheader at Lowell Park, as they take on the Y-D Red Sox. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.