Orleans Firebirds

Orleans Streak Snapped by Cotuit

By Tyler Maland

July 14, 2009

Orleans, Mass. – One day after winning two thrilling games against the West’s first place Bourne Braves, the Orleans Firebirds suffered a less-than-thrilling 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Cotuit Kettleers Tuesday night at Eldridge Field. Jake Buchanon (NC State) went the distance for Cotuit, scattering six hits and allowing two runs (one earned) without walking a batter and striking out nine.

Orleans strung together three straight singles in the first inning and was first on the board with a 1-0 lead after Michael Olt’s (Connecticut) RBI single. That was all it would get, however, until Gary Brown (CS Fullerton) reached on an error in the eighth inning and came around to score on an Alex Hassan (Duke) RBI ground out.

After allowing a leadoff single in the second inning, Buchanon retired 18 of the next 21 batters he faced, allowing just one hit while two reached on errors.

Cotuit took its lead with a four-run second inning. The Kettleers started the inning with three straight hits, the third of which was an RBI drag bunt down the first base line by Brian Guinn (Cal-Berkeley). Tony Plagman (Georgia Tech) followed with a sacrifice fly, and Cory Vaughn (San Diego St.) capped the inning with a two-run blast to deep left field to give Cotuit a 4-1 lead.

Cotuit scored again in the seventh inning when Guinn hit an RBI ground out to third, and again in the eighth when Kevin Keyes (Texas) hit an RBI single up the middle. It lived up to its reputation an aggressive small-ball team. Guinn had two bunt base hits on the night, and the Kettleers had three successful double-steals, one in the sixth inning and two in the seventh.

Matt Hiserman (San Francisco) took the loss for Orleans and moves to 1-1. The right-hander was efficient aside from the four run second inning, and lasted 5 innings, gave up 5 hits, 4 earned runs and struck out six without walking a batter. Brock Stassi (Nevada) and Daniel Ottone (Western Carolina) each gave up one run in relief for the Firebirds, with Stassi pitching 2.2 innings and Ottone 1.1.

The Firebirds will hit the road on Wednesday for a 5:00 pm game against Brewster, and won’t be home again until Sunday. The loss snapped a five game winning streak and dropped Orleans to 15-10, still the best record in the East. Cotuit improved to 10-12-4, and will host Y-D Wednesday at 5:00 pm.

This site is powered by c4.net, a division of Cape Cod Computer, Inc.
Sponsors of:	SearchCapeCod.com	Cape Cod & Islands Search Engine
	CapeEvents.com	Current Events
	CapeCodIslands.com	Regional Business Directory
	CapeCodChambers.com	Available Accommodations



Home Firebirds News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Orleans Streak Snapped by Cotuit By Tyler Maland July 14, 2009 Orleans, Mass. – One day after winning two thrilling games against the West’s first place Bourne Braves, the Orleans Firebirds suffered a less-than-thrilling 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Cotuit Kettleers Tuesday night at Eldridge Field. Jake Buchanon (NC State) went the distance for Cotuit, scattering six hits and allowing two runs (one earned) without walking a batter and striking out nine. Orleans strung together three straight singles in the first inning and was first on the board with a 1-0 lead after Michael Olt’s (Connecticut) RBI single. That was all it would get, however, until Gary Brown (CS Fullerton) reached on an error in the eighth inning and came around to score on an Alex Hassan (Duke) RBI ground out. After allowing a leadoff single in the second inning, Buchanon retired 18 of the next 21 batters he faced, allowing just one hit while two reached on errors. Cotuit took its lead with a four-run second inning. The Kettleers started the inning with three straight hits, the third of which was an RBI drag bunt down the first base line by Brian Guinn (Cal-Berkeley). Tony Plagman (Georgia Tech) followed with a sacrifice fly, and Cory Vaughn (San Diego St.) capped the inning with a two-run blast to deep left field to give Cotuit a 4-1 lead. Cotuit scored again in the seventh inning when Guinn hit an RBI ground out to third, and again in the eighth when Kevin Keyes (Texas) hit an RBI single up the middle. It lived up to its reputation an aggressive small-ball team. Guinn had two bunt base hits on the night, and the Kettleers had three successful double-steals, one in the sixth inning and two in the seventh. Matt Hiserman (San Francisco) took the loss for Orleans and moves to 1-1. The right-hander was efficient aside from the four run second inning, and lasted 5 innings, gave up 5 hits, 4 earned runs and struck out six without walking a batter. Brock Stassi (Nevada) and Daniel Ottone (Western Carolina) each gave up one run in relief for the Firebirds, with Stassi pitching 2.2 innings and Ottone 1.1. The Firebirds will hit the road on Wednesday for a 5:00 pm game against Brewster, and won’t be home again until Sunday. The loss snapped a five game winning streak and dropped Orleans to 15-10, still the best record in the East. Cotuit improved to 10-12-4, and will host Y-D Wednesday at 5:00 pm. (Box Score)