COTUIT, Mass. — After a league-wide off-day, the Cotuit Kettleers had a big challenge Tuesday: the 10-2-1 Y-D Red Sox. The Ketts went right after the Red Sox and led big from the jump, setting a new season high in runs while getting a dominant outing from starting pitcher James Hays (Stetson).

While Y-D scored a few runs late, Cotuit dominated the game and came out on top, 8-2, in eight innings over the CCBL’s top team in the standings.

“They’re the best team in the league, and they’re very well coached, but we had a good plan. Hays was outstanding, and I thought Luke Lavin was very good with Hays,” Cotuit manager Loren Hibbs said. “Outside of a couple of plays, we played pretty good defense. We’re getting closer to being a really good team.”

Luke Matthews (Kent State) ripped a one-out triple on the first pitch of his at-bat in the bottom of the first inning. Ryne Farber (Auburn) stepped up to the dish and delivered on a 1-1 count, singling up the middle to put Cotuit on top early. Farber stole second base a batter later, then advanced to third on a throwing error by the Y-D catcher.

Two Kettleers drew walks to load the bases before Nolan Stevens (Oklahoma) collected an RBI infield single to double the lead to 2-0.

Cotuit threatened the next inning with Lavin (Stanford) on second base and Farber at the dish. The Auburn Tiger blooped an RBI double into left-center field. Jack Natili (Cincinnati) drew a two-out walk to place runners at the corners, giving the Kettleers an opportunity to add more. Caden Bogenpohl (Missouri State) took the first pitch, then mashed the second 104 mph off the bat over the center-field wall for a three-run shot.

"I got walked my first at-bat, but the second one, I sat on a heater and didn't miss it. So, I stuck to my plan and had a good result," Bogenpohl said.

Hays continued his dominance in the top of the fourth when he struck out the side on 12 pitches. Hays didn't allow a baserunner through four innings while punching out six batters.

The Kettleers extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth when Dean West (UCLA) led off with a triple, the second of the day for the home side. Then, Farber collected his third RBI hit of the day with a bloop single into left field. Cotuit plated another run in the fifth on a Lavin sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 8-0.

"The approach never changes; you're trying to find a pitch over the middle of the plate and hit it in the middle of the field. Fortunately, I got a few of those pitches," Farber said.

After another shutout frame by Hays, he was pulled for Beau Sampson (Tulane) after five perfect innings with six strikeouts.

The Red Sox finally got on the board in the seventh when AJ Soldra (UConn) hit a solo home run over the right-field wall to make it 8-1. Y-D threatened for more in the frame, but Sampson settled in and retired the final two batters.

In the top of the eighth, Max Haug (George Washington) came into the game as the new reliever, taking Sampson’s spot.

Haug gave up a run and got into trouble with two runners on base and one out. But he forced a pop out and struck out a batter to end the game due to darkness as the Cotuit Kettleers cruised to an 8-2 win at home.

“Tomorrow is a new day, and we’re emphasizing to the guys that we have a great culture. Even with the in and out of summer baseball, we have good kids who want to do well,” Hibbs said.

“There are always some issues, but it’s just a matter of staying focused on the day. Get up tomorrow and prepare the right way, let’s give ourselves the best chance to win. We’re doing a better job lately of putting ourselves in a position to win.”

Notes

Jarren Advincula (Georgia Tech) did not play Tuesday to rest after playing in Monday's CCBL/MLB Draft League exhibition game. The newly committed Yellow Jacket went 2-for-3 with a solo home run.

Hays threw his second consecutive quality start Tuesday. In his last two starts, he’s surrendered just one earned run and struck out 12 across 10 innings.

The top third of the Cotuit lineup raked at the plate against Y-D. West, Matthews and Farber collected six hits, scored four runs and drove in three.

Looking ahead

The Kettleers are away from Lowell Park on Wednesday against the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. Cotuit lost, 3-1, to the Harbor Hawks on June 21 and will seek revenge on the road. First pitch is at 6 p.m. from McKeon Park.