WAREHAM, Mass. — Throughout the season, Cotuit has struggled to get on the board early. The Kettleers didn’t have that problem Sunday against the Gatemen, as they scored a run in the first inning.
Unfortunately for them, the scoring stalled, with their only other run coming in the ninth. Cotuit picked up its sixth loss in a row, falling 5-2 in Wareham.
“You just got to keep playing, and you got to get better,” Cotuit coach Rob Cooper said. “You want to be able to have these guys rest and enjoy their day off tomorrow, but then the really good players at this game are also like, ‘I can't wait for Tuesday to get here,’ so we just gotta play.”
The Kettleers scored their first run in the first inning. After Dawson Park (LSU) recorded a leadoff triple, Landon Beaver (UAB) notched an RBI groundout for a 1-0 lead. Park had a productive outing, also hitting a single in the second inning.
“It just goes back to everyday work,” he said. “All the guys are working. I'm working. It's just baseball. It's a sport you're going to fail at, and you're going to have your days when you do good.”
Despite all of their hard work, the Kettleers gave up their lead immediately when Wareham tied the game in the bottom of the frame. Levi Clark (Tennessee) singled, and the Gatemen took control after.
Cotuit’s only other run came in the ninth inning after JJ Moran (Stanford) hit a double. Moran was one of four players to record a hit for the Kettleers. He, Park, Ryan Tyranski (Cincinnati) and Jesse DiMaggio (Dallas Baptist) each recorded two.
“It felt great,” Moran said. “I've been seeing the ball really well and getting some results to show for it.”
Cotuit’s pitching staff continued to struggle, with Grady Bivens (transfer portal) making the start. He took the loss, but the Kettleers also saw Jacob Burnham (Boston College) and Kyle Kipp (Boston College) pitch.
Burnham, who was activated today, made his debut when he entered the game in the sixth inning. The Gatemen spoiled it, with Jason Wachs (Tulane) hitting a home run against him.
Burnham was taken out of the game after just two innings, but Cooper maintained a positive attitude.
“I was happy to see him get out there and get his feet wet,” he said. “A left-handed pitcher that really has had success… I think he's going to really help us down the stretch.”
Cotuit returns to the field to take on Harwich at 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday in Cotuit.
