Ben Fischer
University of Maryland
June 30, 2018

Video recap by Mason Horodyski (Syracuse)

SOUTH YARMOUTH – Down 4-1 to the Y-D Red Sox in the seventh inning, the Cotuit Kettleers mounted their biggest threat of the game, putting two runners on base with just one out. But Y-D pitcher Sam Kessler (West Virginia) got back-to-back strikeouts, escaping the jam and preserving the lead on the way to the Red Sox 4-1 win.

Pitcher John Baker (Ball State) throws a pitch in the Kettleers’ 4-1 loss to Bourne

Cotuit played from behind the whole game, as Y-D jumped ahead in the first inning. After starter John Baker (Ball State) got two quick outs, Red Sox first baseman Andrew Daschbach (Stanford) doubled to left and was driven in by a single by left fielder Reese Albert (Florida State).

Daschbach struck again in the fourth inning, taking Baker deep for his third home run of the season and his second against the Kettleers. Y-D added another in the fourth on an RBI single by right fielder Jonathan Deluca (Oregon).

For the third consecutive start, Baker did not walk a man. Baker has now faced 76 batters in 23 innings since issuing his last walk. Despite his good control, Baker allowed a season-high 11 hits and four earned runs while striking out a season-low three batters.

“My biggest thing today was trying to stay in the strike zone,” Baker said. “I kind of got smacked around but I went out there and tried to battle and compete and see what I could hold them to.”

Coach Mike Roberts praised his ace for his competitiveness on the mound. Roberts said he “doesn’t pay attention to the stuff,” with Baker but says he “just likes the fact that he competes.”

Cotuit’s bright spot offensively was designated hitter Corey Wood (Coastal Carolina). Wood went 3-for-4 with three hard-hit singles and scored the Kettleers only run. Wood came into Saturday’s matchup with just four hits on the season and was 0 for his last 16.

Corey Wood (Coastal Carolina) stands in against Y-D on June 21, 2018

“The past week or so, I’ve focused on staying back a little more,” Wood said. “I’d started hitting the ball hard but right at people and they just found holes today.”

“Corey got off to a little bit of a slow start,” Roberts said. “But he’s worked on his swing… and I was happy for him because I know he wants to help the club with his bat. Our goal is to get everyone going at the same time.”

Cotuit will try to get the bats going Sunday when they return to the friendly confines of Lowell Park for a cross-divisional matchup against the Chatham Anglers. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.