Silence of the Bats: Brewster Drops Second Game of Doubleheader to Cotuit

Marty Costes homered to left-center in just his second at-bat as a member of the Whitecaps (c) Marielle McLoughlin 2017

By: Koki Riley

COTUIT, MA - After losing a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader, the Whitecaps offense was limited to just one run on seven hits in a close 2-1 loss at Lowell Park, completing Cotuit’s doubleheader sweep. 

The highlight of the game for Brewster was a solo home run from Marty Costes (Maryland) in just his second at-bat with the team to give the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning.
 
“I knew that my last at bat I hit a ball pretty well,” said Costes. “I came up my second at-bat a little more free. Just had some fun.”
 
“Nick (Dunn) is a returning all-star and you already saw what Marty can do today,” said Whitecaps coach Jamie Shevchik about his newly activated Maryland Terrapins teammates.

However, Cotuit would answer in the bottom of the 4th inning when catcher Thomas Dillard (Ole Miss) hit into a fielder’s choice that would score John Cresto (Santa Clara).
 
Cotuit was hungry for more in the 4th, putting men on the corners again. However, this time, a heads up play from Brewster starter Joe Molettiere (Monmouth) allowed the Whitecaps to escape.
 
Cotuit second baseman Luke Alexander tried to steal second, but Molettiere cut off the throw from Brewster catcher Justin Kunz (Gardner-Webb). After Cotuit’s Mitchell Bigras (Boston College), who was on third, broke for home, Molettiere, got him in a rundown before he was eventually tagged out by Brewster third baseman Kyle Datres to end the inning.
 
The Kettleers would eventually take the lead the very next inning thanks to a base hit up the middle from Greyson Jenista (Wichita State). Jenista’s single delivered home second baseman Ako Thomas (Michigan) to give Cotuit the lead for good.
 
The pitching on both sides was excellent.
 
For Brewster, Joe Molettiere (Monmouth) went five innings and only allowed two earned runs while striking out five Kettleers.
 
“I think our pitching is going to be really good and we’re going to hit,” said Shevchik. “But if we’re not going to hit with guys on base or make routine plays it’s going to be a struggle all summer long.”
 
“We lost two games today literally because we made some mistakes defensively”
 
On the other hand, Cotuit featured southpaw Justin Hooper (UCLA), who had a brief stint for the Kettleers in 2016. Hooper, whose brother caught a touchdown for the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, would certainly live up to his last name by allowing only one run in four innings.
 
In relief, Cotuit would close out the game with Zane Collins (Wright State), who, in a unique case of baseball trivia, earned his second win of the day, and Chase Shugart (Texas), who closed out the victory in the ninth inning.
 
“At school it takes these guys eight months to gel,” said Shevchik. “We have to do it in a hurry.”
 
The Whitecaps today also lost outfielders Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama) and Steele Walker (Oklahoma) indefinitely. Walker and Swaggerty have been invited to try out for Team USA’s Collegiate National Team.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Whitecaps take a day off on Monday but head to YD to face a Red Sox team that has won three consecutive league titles on Tuesday.. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.