06/14/2010 3:47 PM Article By:
WAREHAM ---- Returning Wareham Gatemen George Springer (UConn) made himself right at home with a two-run eighth-inning blast to give his club a 5-2 win over the Cotuit Kettleers on Sunday’s Opening Night in the Cape Cod Baseball League at Spillane Field.
“I was just looking for a good pitch to hit,” Springer said.
Anthony Toth (Michigan) and Lee Mazzilli (UConn) were retired in the bottom of the eighth, and after Jonathan Smith (Tennessee Wesleyan) walked, Springer blasted a shot over the Cotuit bullpen, giving the Gatemen a three-run cushion.
Winning pitcher Matt Barnes (UConn) went 6 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits, one strikeout and two walks.
Tyler Bream (Liberty University) got things going for the Gatemen in the fourth. With runners on first and third following a Springer walk and Jerrud Sabourin’s (Indiana), single, Bream doubled to give Wareham a 1-0 lead. Nico Rosthenhausler (Oklahoma State) then singled to center, bringing home Sabourin and Bream for a 3-0 cushion.
“I thought our starting pitching was good,” Wareham field manager Cooper Farris said. “Barnes did a good job. For the most part, I thought everything was solid.”
Barnes notched his only strikeout in the fifth. Though the 6-4 Barnes was disappointed in the lack of Ks, the Gatemen defense stepped up.
“Double plays really helped us,” Farris said. “We had three that really helped us get out of some jams. I thought our middle infield did a great job.”
In the top of the seventh, Barnes walked Chad Wright (Kentucky) and hit Zach Cone (Georgia) before C.J. Cron (Utah) bounced into a double play. Another walk and Paul Hoilman’s (Eastern Tennessee State) single to left scored Wright.
“I could’ve gotten ahead of hitters a little bit better,” Barnes said. “But overall I think I pitched well.”
Sagamore native Keith Bilodeau (Maine) earned the save with 2 1/3 innings in relief.
“Matt was solid,” Farris said. “He threw 112 pitches, but it was a chilly night, so that was plenty for him. I thought he was throwing just as well in the seventh and could’ve gone (longer).”
