Having a good bullpen is essential to any successful team. The Cotuit Kettleers not only have a good bullpen, but it's been the strongest part of the team through the first four games. While the Ketts sit at 1-3 on the young campaign, the pen has been lights out and one of the best in the CCBL.

"At this level, these guys [pitchers] are so good that they know exactly what they need to be ready for games. Whenever we call on them, immediately they're getting loose and communicating," says Cotuit bullpen coach Johannes Lopez Jr. "When they get on the field, we know they're in a state to compete."

It started on Opening Day when Zane Coppersmith (Stetson) and Charlie Walker (Northeastern) tossed six innings of one-run ball. Even though Cotuit lost the first contest to Orleans, you could tell the pitching staff had plenty of potential. After three more games went by, there was a decent sample size to pull stats.

Through four games, the bullpen posts a 1.65 ERA with 26 strikeouts to 10 walks and 12 hits allowed in 27 1/3 innings.

Cotuit loves to attack opposing batters by pounding the zone and forcing teams to make contact, which drives down walk numbers and increases strikeouts. While it's a simple concept, Lopez Jr says the thought behind that pitching approach is due to statistics from the 2024 CCBL season.

"We looked at averages from last year, and the league batted around .230. You have guys are taking at-bats for the first time in a while, and you're using wood bats," he said. "We trust our arms, putting the ball over the plate, and our defense. We feel if we limit base runners by not handing out walks, then we'll be a successful group."

That philosophy has worked to start the summer. Cotuit is No. 1 in strikeouts, No. 2 in WHIP, and No. 2 in batting average allowed across the league. It’s very early in the season, but the Kettleers’ bullpen feels it can compete against any offense in the league, even with teams beginning to adjust to wood bats and pitchers.

Part of that confidence is due to the quality of its arms, but also because of the mindset the group has. They show up to the ballpark every day looking to compete and perform to the best of their abilities.

“What’s cool is a lot of our guys are very intentful every day, even if they’re not on. So, I know we’re just going to continue getting better. No matter what bat we face, I have full faith in every single arm in that bullpen,” Lopez Jr said. “They’re getting better every day, so if we do that, I don’t think there’s any bat here [in the CCBL] that truly we need to worry about.”