Cotuit Offense Hits its Way Over the Braves

Playing in their first game since Wednesday, the rest didn’t seem to immediately aid the Bourne Braves, as they lost to the Cotuit Kettleers, 7-4.

The Braves were able to hold a short lived lead, but the Kettleers (13-9) scratched a couple of runs across the board that gave them the lead for good. Miles Lewis’ (Michigan) RBI double in the fourth inning was the difference.

With the loss, the Braves (11-11) now sit at .500 for the season and have lost three straight and four of their last five games.

Coleman Overcomes First Inning

Dylan Coleman (Missouri State) walked three hitters and allowed two runs on just one hit in the first inning of his second start of the season, but improved his outing as he went along.

For Coleman, it was an overall improvement over his previous start, as he lasted four total innings as opposed to the 2 and 2/3 that he went against Yarmouth-Dennis last week.

Luke Alexander (Mississippi State) did take Coleman deep to tie the game in the fourth inning, but the right-hander exited with a no-decision.

Susi Stays Hot at the Plate

Catcher Zac Susi (Connecticut) accounted for three of the Braves’ seven hits, all of which were singles.

Susi has remained a solid presence both at the plate and behind the dish for the Braves. He raised his average to a team leading .325 after the game.

Most of Susi’s damage was done against Kettleers’ starter Jason Bilous (Coastal Carolina), who was making his third start of the season against the Braves. He has allowed eight earned runs in 11 innings in those outings.

The Braves offense was able to conjure up a rally in the ninth inning, putting three runners on after the first two outs were made in the ninth inning. Grant Williams’ (Kennesaw State) run scoring double brought the tying run to the plate, but a strikeout ended the threat.

Cotuit Offense Puts It Away Late

The Kettleers had their way with the Braves relievers, padding their lead in the final innings. After Lewis’ double, Cotuit tagged Ray Gaither (Dallas Baptist) for a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth inning.

Michael Toglia (UCLA) singled home a run after an error in right field, and Griffin Conine (Duke) gave them enough insurance with a two-run home run. The two home runs marked a tie for the most in a game at Doran Park this season.

Stat That Mattered

Cotuit committed three errors, a couple of which led to Braves runs, but the high error total was not enough to cost them.

Brave of the Game

Susi was the offensive standout, drawing a walk in addition to his three hits. He reached base in all four of his plate appearances.

Coming Up: The Braves will begin a stretch of three straight road games, their longest road trip of the season, when they head to Hyannis on Sunday. Daniel Bies (Gonzaga) is Bourne’s probable starter.

Pre-game, in-game, and post-game highlights: