By Clara Richards | Washington University in St. Louis
Cotuit, MA — Four straight hits started the Ketts’ redemption matchup against the Wareham Gatemen. After being handed a painful 6-2 loss last night to a team that had won one of their previous fourteen matchups, Cotuit was searching for redemption ahead of their playoff run.
And offensively, Cotuit delivered over the first two innings of play, notching eight hits before the first six outs. Tommy Troy (Stanford) hit a soft trickling base hit, and three consecutive hits from the middle portions of the Ketts’ batting order brought him home, the RBI going to Carter Trice (NC State) from a popup that landed between the centerfielders.
Carson Swilling (Auburn) took his second start for the Ketts, walking into the matchup with a 7.83 ERA. He pitched the first two frames, letting up one costly hit in the first inning. A long left-field homer to center fielder in the second put Wareham on the board.
But the Ketts continued their hitting streak in the second, starting after Caleb Ketchup (Lipscomb University) hit a sneaky-quick base hit, narrowly beating out the throw. The Ketts didn’t let two outs deter them, stringing together three back-to-back hits to score two runs, putting them in a one-run lead going into the third.
The Ketts cycled through two more pitchers without adding to the score, with Will Jacobsen (Harvard) and Zach Chappell (North Florida) throwing a collective 2.2 innings. Cam Schuelke (College of Central Florida) stepped on in relief and proceeded to throw seven balls in his first eight pitches. He battled back with the bases loaded and a 3-0 count to nab the final out in the fifth, and only let up one run in the seventh to tie up the ballgame.
In the bottom of the seventh, the score seemed frozen at 3-3 until Calvin Harris (Ole Miss) had a big swing with one out. The player has rotated through catcher, DH, and outfielder, and he was previously known for his consistent contact. But today, he saw an accessible off-speed pitch on a 1-2 count and let it rip out to right field for his first Ketts’ home run of his Cotuit season.
“I was just looking to come in and drive the ball,” Harris said. I was just trying to get on base and get something going there. He threw a bunch of off speed pitches and luckily I kind of saw one well and ran into it.”
He brought home the game-winning run, the final score 4-3, but the Kettleers controlled the matchup offensively all evening, recording twelve hits to Wareham’s seven. Tommy Troy (Stanford) went three for four and currently leads the team’s batting averages.
Schuelke threw his longest outing of the summer, 57 pitches, to push the Ketts into the top of the ninth, and Ryan Bruno (Stanford) closed out the final three outs, striking out two. Bruno is one of the Ketts’ newest additions to the lineup. His fastball flashed ninety-six on the board, but Bruno was most pleased with the consistency of his pitches.
“I’ve been really working hard at mixing my pitches; keeping hitters off balance, not just the predictable pitch,” Bruno said. “I was able to throw any pitch in any count, and stay ahead for the most part. I think that put me in a better position to close up.”
A total of five pitchers contributed to the efforts of tonight in what head coach Mike Roberts called one of the best bullpen performances of the season. “Defensively, we made a couple mistakes, but overall we played really well. The play that we made on the last inning there on the bunt, that’s a huge play. So yeah, I was pleased with our pitching and defense,” Roberts said.
The Ketts return to Cotuit for their last home game on Monday, August 1 for legacy day before the final game of the regular season. They currently are tied with the Bourne Braves for second place in the division.
Reporter’s Notebook: Takeaways from the game
By Joe Pratt | Baylor University
- Caleb Ketchup (Lipscomb University) entered his ninth Cape League having recorded just 2 hits on the season. Ketchup batted in the ninth spot against the Gatemen on Sunday night and kept the ball rolling offensively for the Kettleers. He notched the sixth hit of the game in first at-bat in the bottom of the second. Ketchup took a three step lead off first base with two outs in the inning. When he saw the move from Wareham picther, Will Koger (Louisville), he quickly flopped back in the dirt on the first base bag. In the blink of an eye, the speedy Ketchup stood just 90 feet from the plate after advancing to third on an overthrow. Ketchup trotted home as the second Ketts run on C.J. Kayfus’ (Miami) single. In the fourth, Caleb knocked one more single to double his amount on the year.
“I’m actually a lot more comfortable,” Ketchup said, “I know it took a little while, but I’m seeing the ball really well. One thing I wanted to do was try to be on time for the baseball, and then from there I can adjust to off-speed and I did that well today.”
- Prior to the first pitch, Ketts owner Terry Moran announced the names of all the families who opened their doors to players and interns this 75th season. This group of host families and their summer families were celebrated Sunday with the pregame celebration, followed by a group photo in front of the Lowell Park scoreboard in left-center field. The Ketts are one of the first CCBL clubs to host interns and players. These families have become the foundation of the community and are an integral part of the Cotuit Kettleers organization.
Cotuit Kettleers vs. Bourne Braves, June 14, 2022 in Cotuit, Ma. (Photo/Alysa Rubin)
Before game 43 of the season, the Kettleers will celebrate the village peoples and those who have made the Cotuit Kettleers and Lowell Park what it is today. Ketts founders Manny Rebello and Arnold Mycock will throw out the first pitches for Cotuit’s 4:30 p.m. game against the Bourne Braves.
After the game, the Kettleers will hold their third annual Youth Day/Night, featuring a free event for all youngsters and their families. Each attendee will receive a hot dog and refreshments from the Lowell Park snack shack as well as roasted s’mores. Ketts players will stick around after the game for games and other supervised activities. The only ticket necessary for entry is a flyer that can be found under the green tent. The white sheet must be signed and turned into the green tent during Monday’s game. The event will conclude at 9:30 p.m after a 75th anniversary themed fireworks show.