Cotuit, MA- The past two nights, it was the Kettleers that jumped out to quick first inning leads. Tonight, Cotuit was on the wrong end of an early ambush as the Orleans Firebirds beat Cotuit 12-4 in a six-inning game. Cotuit was sloppy in the field and couldn’t find the timely hits or pitches to keep themself in the game. Tonight’s game marked the end of a seven day stretch with seven games in which Cotuit went 3-4. Outfielder John Rhodes (Kentucky) said, “Not going to lie, I’m tired. Weather’s been hot up here, days have been long and I think we’ve earned the off day. We’ve had some good days and we’ve had some bad days. We’ve learned a lot and it should be a good off day tomorrow.”

Moments that mattered:

Orleans jumps out to big lead

The Firebirds posted a crooked number in each of the first four innings. A two-run home run off the bat of Tyler Locklear in the first inning was the first blow. A five-spot in the fourth inning pushed the Orleans’ lead to 12-1. Four Cotuit errors aided the Orleans’ effort as four of the 12 runs were unearned. Despite getting in a quick hole, the Kettleers were focused on themself and not the scoreboard. Rhodes said, “We just try to control what we can control. The score is going to be up there and we just try to have a quality bat each and not get too wrapped up in the score.”

Kettleers show life behind Rhodes’ bat

Cotuit had just one hit and one run through three innings. The bats showed some life in the fourth inning despite being down 11 runs. After an error and a walk, Rhodes shot a two-run double into the right-center gap. “I’m feeling better, I’m just trying to refine my approach and just get back to hitting the ball hard and making solid contact. That’s the name of the game and all I can control,” Rhodes said.

The Kentucky product also came into score on a fielder’s choice as Luke Gold (Boston College) pushed his season RBI total to 13. Despite Rhodes’ efforts, Cotuit couldn’t climb back into the game as they stranded the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth. The Kettleers stranded 10 men on base in the six-inning game.

Notables:

Rhodes: 2-3, 3 RBI, 1 R

Dalton Rhadans (Wofford): 2 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 R

Cole Cummings (UC Santa Barbara): 1-2, 1 BB, extended hit streak to 8 games

UP NEXT: The Kettleers have their second off day of the season tomorrow. After the off day, Cotuit will travel to Harwich on Friday for their first matchup with the Mariners. First pitch will be at 6:30 from Whitehouse Field. Ryan Long (Pomona-Pitzer) is the Kettleers’ probable starter.