Cotuit, MA– Cotuit couldn’t bounce back from an early ambush from the Bourne Braves as they fell by a score of 9-2 on Sunday. The Braves stayed undefeated with their sixth straight win while the Kettleers dropped their second straight. Since scoring 16 runs at Yarmouth-Dennis on Friday, the Ketts have produced just seven hits and two runs in the losing streak. Coach Mike Roberts believes adjustments at the plate are needed moving forward. “We need to make a lot of adjustments. We’ve got a lot of guys moving around in the box and we’ve played relatively well, but we got a long way to go to really be a force on the Cape.”
The Braves’ first six batters combined to bring in three runs while making just one out in the first inning. Andre Granillo (UC Riverside) was able to settle the storm early out of the bullpen. Granillo limited the damage to three in the first with two strikeouts to strand the bases loaded. Granillo worked through the fourth inning, including a perfect second and third innings. The right-handed pitcher allowed four hits, a walk, and two runs over 3.2 innings while striking out seven. Granillo leads the Kettleers with 12 K’s and has a 2.70 ERA in 6.2 IP. Just like his first outing, Roberts was pleased with what Granillo gave the Kettleers on the bump. “He pitched very similar to what he did the first time. He only pitched eight innings I think it was in the spring. So I thought he did a really good job. I think he got tired, right at the end when he gave up a couple base hits, but I like his competitiveness.”
Andy Garriola (Old Dominion) provided the only fireworks of the night from the Cotuit offense. Garriola, who was activated just two days ago, obliterated a first pitch over the tree line beyond the left field fence for a solo home run in the seventh inning. The right-handed hitter showed off his natural power in his second at-bat as a Kettleer. Garriola hit .318 with 14 home runs for Old Dominion in the spring. Roberts was excited to see Garriola get his summer experience started on the right foot, “I think anytime a man steps up there in the Cape league and does that, it’s gotta be a wonderful moment for him. I was really happy for him,” Roberts said.
Shaddon Peavyhouse (Coastal Carolina) also joined the Cotuit roster two days ago. Peavyhouse made his debut tonight out of the bullpen. The right-handed pitcher allowed two runs in two innings and struck out two batters. The Kettleers now have three Coastal Carolina products on their roster. Roberts is looking forward to another Chanticleer competing on his roster. “Anybody that comes from Coastal I always like with coach Gilmore there. They’re very competitive and they love to play. So I’m glad he got here, got an outing and hopefully the second one will be a little better.”
Max Gieg (Boston College) tossed the final three innings. He allowed just one earned run while striking out five. Gieg has a 1.80 ERA in 5.0 IP this season.
John Rhodes (Kentucky) scored the only other Kettleer run. Rhodes scored on an error after he doubled in the second inning. Rhodes has three doubles in five starts.
UP NEXT- The Kettleers will be back home tomorrow night to take on the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Cotuit has played the Harbor Hawks once this season, dropping the first matchup by a score of 7-4 at McKeon Park. First pitch is at 5:00 PM from Lowell Park.