Ketts Bested by Bourne 13-1
By: James Middleton | West Chester University
Cotuit, MA — For the first time this season, Cotuit hosted the Bourne Braves at Lowell Park. Tucker Novotny (Minnesota) made his third start of the season, all being against Bourne. This time, the Braves got the best of Novotny as they beat the Ketts 13-1.
The 6-6 lefty pitched three and a third innings in the contest. He struck out five bravos and walked one, but nine runners came home to score in his appearance. This was the first time Bourne got the best of the southpaw, as he let up zero runs in both appearances and carried a no-hitter through five in his second start.
“He wanted to get his third outing, and it was just a day early, but he’s a great young man. He wanted to pitch before he went home, and that’s okay,” said Roberts on Novotny.
The Braves offense started hot in the first and never looked back. Derek Bender hit a solo shot to give Bourne an early one-run lead. They carried the momentum as they scored three runs in the second on back-to-back doubles.
Bourne would break the game wide open two innings later, scoring five in the inning. Two extra-base hits and two singles brought home the majority of the runs in the inning. The big fourth inning was all the Braves could muster as they were held scoreless for the rest of the game.
The lone Kettleer run of the night came in the fifth inning when Carter Mathison (Indiana) worked a one-out walk. Cannon Peebles (NC State) stepped into the box and roped a ball to right field for an RBI double. Peebles would work his way to third but was left stranded. The Ketts picked up five hits in the game.
Zachary Joyce (Tennessee) made his first appearance for Cotuit out of the bullpen in the contest. The right-hander pitched two and two-thirds, striking out three, walking one, and giving up three hits. Joyce was able to bridge the gap in the and eat up some crucial innings saving arms in the bullpen.
“Just going there and getting comfortable was the biggest thing for me. I think the stuff kind of improves as you do that,” said Joyce.
Jacob Tobias (Arizona State) was the third arm used in the game for Cotuit. Tobias, who is usually used as a first baseman, finished out the game on the mound for Cotuit. The right-hander may not be used to the bump, but he was able to get weak contact and save the arms in the bullpen in his outing.
“It’s pretty cool. I was pretty confident I was going to throw strikes, at least. I figured they’d run into some outs, and they did, which was cool,” said Tobias on his first pitching outing.
The loss brings the Ketts to a record of 9–5 on the season. Even with the loss, Cotuit remains in first place in the western division, five points ahead of the Wareham Gatemen. Tomorrow night the Orleans Firebird will make the trip to Lowell Park. This will be the second time the pair face off this season, as the Ketts brought home a 6-1 win when they traveled out to Eldredge Park. Game time is scheduled for 5 o’clock.