By Zach Kaplan
Penn State University
August 1, 2018
FALMOUTH– With Cotuit’s 2018 playoff run set to start on Saturday, the Kettleers made a pair of transactions to shore up their infield reserves.
Trey Jacobs (UNC Pembroke) made his Cotuit debut on Wednesday.
Trey Jacobs (UNC Pembroke) and Nick Gonzales (New Mexico State) both made their Cotuit debuts on Wednesday in an 8-3 loss to Falmouth. While neither recorded a hit in their combined three at-bats, both players appreciated the opportunity to play in the Cape League.
“Really cool experience, especially being from a smaller school,” said Jacobs. “Not a lot of people get a chance to come to the Cape League. I didn’t have the results I wanted in the at-bats, but its still a cool experience to be here and play.”
Jacobs made a nearly 12-hour drive from his team in the Valley League, the Staunton Braves, just to arrive on the Cape.
Jacobs destroyed Valley League competition this summer. He led the league overall in hits (52), ranked third in HR (8), while having the most RBIs (37), doubles (13), and highest slugging % (.638), while ranking fifth in batting average (.376).
Nick Gonzales (New Mexico State) is ready to contribute after a stellar freshman campaign.
While Gonzales did not have to make nearly the drive Jacobs had, his trip to the Cape was pretty eventful as well.
“My coach called and said I’d be here next year, but I had the opportunity to come play this year,” said Gonzales postgame. “Then I flew in from Louisville into Baltimore, but my flight got cancelled. So then I had to fly into Nantucket, and then on a little prop plane into Hyannis.”
Gonzales had a stellar freshman year at New Mexico State, playing in 57 of the team’s games and starting in 53.
He led the Aggies in batting average, hitting .347 with nine home runs and 36 RBI’s, on the way to being named a freshman All-American. He was also named a Baseball America Second-Team Freshman All-American.
His play at second base for the Aggies helped them to win their first WAC Tournament title as a program, and first appearance at NCAA Regionals since 2012. But as for the Cape, Gonzales just wants to help out any way he can.
“Just gonna be ready to compete every day,” said Gonzales. “Gonna try to do whatever I can to help the team. I was a little nervous today, but it was my first game so its done with. Looking forward to helping however I can this year.”
Gonzales, Jacobs and the rest of the Kettleers will be back at Lowell Park on Thursday as they host Falmouth in the second part of a home-and-home matchup to end the season. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.