Victor Scott gets caught in a pickle in the matchup versus the Bourne Braves. (Photo by Alysa Rubin)

By Joe Pratt | Baylor University

Cotuit, MA — In its last two losses, Cotuit has allowed runs in the first inning. In their sixth loss of the season on Friday night, Wareham’s lead-off batter singled and ended up circling the bases for the first run of the game. The next inning was nothing different with another lead-off single. Then with one out, the lead-off man scored from first on a double. The man who drove home the second run also came around to score on a single and it was a 3-0 Gatemen advantage through two. After the second, however, the Ketts shutdown Wareham for the next four innings, until the seventh. 

The seventh and eighth frames put Wareham’s mark out of reach. A lead-off double got things going for the Gatemen as they began the inning, their sixth hit of the game. Then began the spree of hit-by pitches. Zach Chappell (North Florida) hit two straight Gatemen, followed by a single and another HBP. Wareham put up two runs in the seventh but did not stop there as they added two more in the eighth. On a single, two HBPs — one that brought home a run. The seventh run came off of a groundout. 

The Kettleers failed to get a runner in scoring position until the sixth inning. The runner who broke that streak was Brooks Baldwin (UNC Wilmington), who ended up scoring on a C.J. Kayfus (Miami) sac-fly. Throughout all nine innings, the Ketts registered seven hits and two runs. Trotter Harlan (College of Charleston) made his first appearance for Cotuit and singled in his only pinch-hit at-bat. Tommy Troy (Stanford) followed Harlan in the bottom of the eighth with a single to put runners on first and second. The runners then advanced on a Brooks Baldwin groundout, and Harlan scored on Tyler Johnson’s (Coastal Carolina) dribbler to short. The game ended after eight innings due to lack of sunlight in a 7-2 finish. 

Harrison Cohen (University of Virginia) suffered his first loss as a starter after coming out on top five times this season. He matched his season-high for innings for the third time with 5.0 IP. But Cohen ended up allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with 6 Ks against 23 batters faced. Jaylen Paden (Georgia Southern) pitched a relief inning while giving up 3 more runs on 2 hits. Zach Chappell finished off the remaining 2 IP with 2 hits as well as another Wareham run on the board. 

While they logged 7 knocks, the Kettleers struggled to get the bats going. They had 3 hits throughout the first 5 innings and put 3 total runners in scoring position. They also did not reach base via walk for the first time this summer.

The Ketts are back in Lowell Park Saturday night for a 5 p.m. game against Harwich. 

Reporter’s Notebook

Representatives from Big Nick’s Ride cross in front of the dugout. (Photo by Alysa Rubin)

Clara Richards | Washington University in St. Louis 

• Today was the second red shirt Friday for the team, and Lowell Park’s efforts to honor the men and women in uniform extended past the traditional red jerseys worn. Lowell Park was covered in reminders of the event, starting with the opening bike parade on the green outfield. Twenty minutes before first pitch, motors revved in the parking lot for the bikes as a part of Big Nick’s Ride. Big Nick’s ride is a fundraiser organized by Steven Xiarhos, whose son was killed in Afghanistan. The event involves a bike across the Cape, and every dollar earned from the bike ride returns to the community. The team also honored the Cape Cod Fallen 16, those with ties to the region who were killed in action, and four members of the families were present at the park.  This Friday evening matchup might have been originally about the players on the field, but the community events were an everpresent reminder about how this team connects the entire village of Cotuit.
• At the bottom of the fourth, with no runs scored, head coach Mike Roberts looked over to third base and shouted, “Somebody’s gotta get it going,” to Tyler Johnson, who had a 2-2 count at the time. Johnson struck out swinging, but Roberts’ shouted message encapsulated the Ketts’ offensive struggles lately. While they have had productive at-bats, they’ve struggled to string hits together for runs.  Today’s first four innings were a reminder of that: the two hits they landed were with two outs, eliminating the potential for any sacrifice plays. 

The Ketts offense hinted at their slugging potential all night, but each fly ball popped to the outfield landed squarely into the mitts of the defense.  The seventh had three up three down, with every out recorded from the flyout near the warning track.  The Gatemen’s outfield was exactly where it needed to be, compared with the Ketts’ outfield position players, who particularly struggled in left field.  Cotuit wasn’t able to solidify their defensive alignment, with four hits landing in left field alone. 

• Victor Scott (West Virginia University) played his last game in the pinstripes tonight, returning home ahead of the 2022 MLB Draft. Scott has been a major contributor to the team since the first scrimmages and was an electrifying presence on the field.  He was aggressive on the basepaths, stealing a total of eleven bases, and never missed an opportunity to celebrate a hit.  He recorded eleven runs, also showing his patience at the plate with 14 walks.

Scott is facing a major transition, having potentially played his last collegiate game of his life. “It’s surreal, almost,” Scott said.  “Time flies in a certain way, and it’s all hard to wrap my mind around right now.”

The player had grown up hearing about the Cape Cod League his entire career, and he said that the experience far exceeded his expectations.  “It was more than what I expected it to be,” he said.  “It was fun playing and definitely got me ready for pro ball.”

From here, he’ll pack up his apartment and then head back to Atlanta to wait for draft day.  He has two years of eligibility left, but he doesn’t plan on using them.  “I’m gonna finish this degree online. We’re going to keep pushing,” he said.