Ketts Offense Continues to Mash in 12-5 Win over Falmouth
By: James Middleton | West Chester University
Falmouth, MA — Friday night's matchup featured the two hottest teams in the Cape as both have won eight of their last ten, Cotuit riding a six-game win streak and Falmouth a five-game win streak. One of the streaks had to continue, and one had to end, as the Ketts continued their streak with a 12-5 victory over Falmouth.
Even though the Ketts scored twelve runs in the contest, the offense was nonexistent for the first three innings. Cotuit wouldn't notch its first hit until a single to left field by Caleb Lomavita (California-Berkley), which also brought home the first Kettleer of the night. Lomavita brought in three more as he launched a three-run home run over the left-field wall in the seventh. That is the catcher's third home run of the season and second in two games, compiling a total of seven RBIs in the past two contests.
"I think I'm just sitting still, and when I do get my pitch, I don't miss it. I still need to mature a little bit more, but I feel like I'm doing a better job of not missing the pitch when I get it," said Lomavita on his two-game stretch.
After a scoreless fourth, Cotuit gave themselves a little more cushion in the fifth. With a runner on first, Cole Mathis (Charleston) hit a no-doubt shot to left field, with the only question being if it would stay fair. The ball barely stayed fair, flying right over the foul pole and bringing the Kettleer lead to three. Like Lomavita, Mathis' home run was his second in two games, bringing his RBI total to ten in the past two games.
"I mean, it feels great off the bat, just being really aggressive. When I'm not as aggressive, it tends to get deep into counts, and I've just been trying to eliminate that and jump on pitches early," said Mathis.
A three-run lead wasn't enough for the Ketts as they fully broke the game open in the seventh, sending ten hitters to the plate. A hit-by-pitch, single, and error loaded the bases for newly activated Dylan Johnson (Charleston). Johnson squeaked a ball down the third base line for a two-RBI single. Trey Yunger (Georgia Tech) followed with a single of his own to bring home the third runner of the inning, before Lomavita brought home Johnson and Yunger on his three-run homer.
The offense wasn't done yet as Mathis doubled to center field in the eighth for his second hit of the night, bringing home two Ketts in the process. Lomavita then singled home Mathis on a ball right back up the middle, which would be his third and final hit of the night.
"I think both of them are very mature hitters; they sit still and let the ball get to them. They both have tremendous, what I call buggy whip; they have great hand action. When guys sit still and throw their hands at the baseball and as strong as these guys are, the ball jumps off the bat," said Roberts on the duo of Mathis and Lomavita.
The pitching staff for Cotuit was pretty much lights out all night against Falmouth. The Ketts had five arms take the hill as they only allowed five hits and five runs in the contest. Isaak Martinez (UC San Diego) got the start, pitching three innings and allowing one hit. For the first time this year, Ben Kovel (Pittsburgh) made an appearance, pitching two and a third while earning the win in the contest. Finn McIroy (UCLA) and Brock Peery (Arizona State) bridged the gap between Kovel and the closer Cullen McKay (Virginia) as Falmouth managed to score two in the seventh and three in the ninth.
"They throw strikes, and that's how you don't wear out your bullpen. We've been fortunate that our starting pitching has been pretty consistent, and that's given us a chance to have a fairly fresh bullpen. I just really love our pitching staff; they're very competitive, and they've given us a chance to win each night," said Roberts on the pitching staff.
Cotuit will stay at home Saturday night as they will welcome the eastern division leaders, the YD Red Sox. While Cotuit is riding a seven-game win streak, YD is coming off a 3-0 loss to Chatham and a two-game losing streak. Game time will start at five o'clock on Lowell Avenue.