CHATHAM, Mass. — The Kettleers broke a 13-inning scoreless streak in the first inning in Chatham. Cam Johnson (Oklahoma), Jack Natili (Cincinnati) and Rintaro Sasaki (Stanford) all reached. With the bases loaded and one out, Johnson scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch.
Despite taking the early lead on a foggy night Thursday, the Kettleers dropped their third straight game, 4-2, falling to 1-4 on the season.
“I thought we played better today,” head coach Loren Hibbs said. “We just didn’t have time to hit.”
The Anglers responded quickly when Gavin Gallaher scored on an RBI single from Daniel Jackson, knotting the game at 1-1.
Sun Devils were called on back-to-back, with Cole Carlon getting the start and Wyatt Halvorson coming in in relief. Combined, the two Arizona State pitchers went 4 2/3 innings, striking out six and only surrendering one run.
Neither pitching staff gave up a run again until the sixth inning.
Chatham threatened in the fifth. A single and two walks loaded the bases for Halvorson, and pitching coach Tim O’Connor brought Charlie Walker (Northeastern) in to preserve the 1-1 tie.
Ace Reese stepped into the batter’s box to face the right-hander. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Reese launched a ball to center. Anglers fans held their breath as the ball soared. On the warning track, Case Sanderson (Nebraska) gloved the ball and ended Chatham’s momentum.
Sanderson plated Ryne Farber (Auburn) on a double play, giving the Kettleers a 2-1 lead.
That would be the last run Cotuit would score.
Tyler Albanese (San Jose State) was called on after Walker walked two batters in the seventh inning. A groundout from Ethan Mendoza tied the game at two.
Double plays were the story of the seventh and eighth innings for the Kettleers. Johnson and Nolan Stevens (Oklahoma) both fell victim to them late in the game, preventing Cotuit from scoring.
Albenese stayed on the mound for the eighth inning. A walk with the bases loaded and a wild pitch put the Anglers up, 4-2.
“We’re going to show up every day,” Hibbs said. “We’re not going to yell and scream and go crazy, but we’re educating the youth of America, so to speak, here every day.”
The Kettleers return to Lowell Park to face the Harwich Mariners at 5 p.m. Friday.
