Cotuit, Mass — Six innings scoreless. It was a powder keg with no spark as the Gatemen and the Kettleers combined for only five hits in a high-stakes game with playoff implications for both teams.
The Gatemen came in looking to snap a two-game skid and inch closer to a top seed in the West Division, while also locking up their season series against Cotuit. The Kettleers, meanwhile, were playing for survival, clinging to a two-point edge over last-place Falmouth with every game crucial.
Finally, in the top of the seventh, the fuse lit. Shortstop Chris Ramirez (California Baptist) punched a single up the middle to drive in left fielder Chase Krewson (Rutgers), and the Gatemen added another to make it 2-0. This happened after a productive at-bat from Designated Hitter Caden McDonald (Florida) moved Krewson over to third ahead of Ramirez’s at-bat.
“We talk about having productive at-bats and, with two strikes, not trying to do too much with it. He did exactly what he needed to do; advance the runner and be productive within the box,” said Gatemen Field Manager Ryan Smyth.
Cotuit answered in the bottom half, loading the bases and drawing a walk to trim the lead to 2-1. But with the go-ahead run on base, Second Baseman Brayden Randle (Ole Miss) made the play of the game, snaring a line drive up the middle and doubling off the runner at second to escape the jam and keep Wareham in front.
“He made an awesome play. Almost made one the other night at Bourne, too, but he just missed it. So it was kind of deja vu, and this time that one went on our side, which was awesome. We kind of got lucky too, with the catch around second base, we were able to get the double play and get out of a big jam there,” said Smyth.
The Gatemen seemed to be on track for a win, but victory slipped through their fingers at the last minute. The Gatemen (19-19) were walked off by the Cotuit Kettleers (16-19-3) by a score of 3-2 after the Kettleers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
The loss puts the Gatemen at .500 for the summer, and with Bourne defeating Falmouth, it places them in second place in the West Division standings, as Bourne holds the tiebreaker over them.
The Gatemen do have two games left to make up for that; however, if the Gatemen win out without Bourne winning out, they will secure the top spot in the West.
Before the game, the Gatemen arrived at a cool and windy Lowell Park. The wind was a factor in the game, keeping the ball in the park to the benefit of the pitchers. Starting Pitcher Josh Butler (Arizona State) looked good in his short time on the mound.
Butler threw three innings scoreless with one hit, three walks, and two strikeouts before coming out of the game due to pitch count, an effort by the Gatemen to keep him preserved for the postseason.
From there, Daniel Powell (Kennesaw State) and Tony Pluta (Arizona) came in to help keep the Ketts in check. However, the Gatemen offense could not respond to Cotuit’s pitching.
Nick Wemberly (Florida Atlantic) looked amazing for the Kettleers in his Cape Cod Baseball League debut, going five innings scoreless with two hits, a walk, and four strikeouts. His performance set the tone for the Kettleers' defense, which helped keep the game scoreless until the Gatemen’s spark in the seventh.
However, the spark was not enough for the Gatemen as the Kettleers would threaten in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Jack Natili (Cincinnati) would force a walk, then Nolan Stevens (Mississippi State) would get a base hit to put two runners on.
Then the Gatemen made a pitching change to bring in newly acquired Canaan Clayton (Louisiana-Monroe). Clayton faced a tough situation with two runners on, but it became tougher after a wild pitch moved both the tying and winning runs into scoring position.
After that, back-to-back walks would load the bases and tie the game at 2-2 with one out. Then Sean Martinez (Boston College) hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Stevens and win the game.
It was a tough loss for the Gatemen, especially after playing the game so well from start to finish. However, this hard-fought effort is something they hope to build on.
Now, the Gatemen turn their attention to their final home game of the season against the Falmouth Commodores. First pitch for that game will be at 6:00 p.m. at Spillane Field.
