Hyannis Mets Game Stories

Saturday, June 23, 2007

HARWICH- On a great pitching performance from Jason Franzblau (Winthrop) the Hyannis Mets improved their record to 4-3-1 en route to obtaining sole possession of first place in the West Division of the Cape Cod Baseball League. Franzblau took the win for the Mets on seven innings of work. While striking out 5, walking 5 and giving up 6 hits Franzblau gave up just one earned run improving his record to 1-1.

The lone Harwich Mariners run came in the third inning as Matt Miller (Georgia Southern) scored on a fielder's choice from Steve Strausbaugh (Western Carolina).

Dan Hudson (Old Dominion) was credited with the loss in five innings of work for the Mariners. After cruising through the first 5 2/3 innings, Hudson's no-hitter was broken up on a very close play at first base when Phil Bell (UAB) bunted his way on.

Retuning to the mound in the sixth inning, Hudson's luck turned south. After walking Scott Elmendorf (Southern Illinois), James Darnell (South Carolina) and Kiko Vasquez (Central Florida) in order, relief pitcher Evan Crawford entered the game to try and put out the fire for Hudson. Long struck out pinch-hitter Dan Brewer (Bradley) and then walked Ryan Jackson (Miami) scoring Shane Peterson. With the bases still loaded Dale Cornstubble (Central Michigan) grounded up the middle to shortstop Cole Figueroa (Florida) whose only play was to force out Jackson advancing to second, allowing Darnell to score the go-ahead run for the Mets.

Two runs proved to be all the Mets would need as Garrett Sherrill (Appalachian State) held the lead in the eighth inning. After giving up a lead off double, Sherrill retired the next three to get himself out a jam.

After tacking on an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning on a Phil Bell single that scored Ryan Jackson from second base, closer Tyler Stohr (North Florida) entered the game to try to preserve the win for the Mets. Stohr walked the first batter he faced but rebounded quickly retiring the last three batters of the game to earn the save and the win for the Hyannis Mets. Stohr Struck out two of the three batters he faced.

Phil Bell, who signed as a permanent player on Friday recorded two of the three hits for the Mets en route to a 2 for 4 performance with 1 RBI. Bell's two-hit game brought his average up to .333 for the season.

Great defense proved to be the key to victory on Saturday after Mets pitchers allowed lead off batters to reach base in six of nine innings. The infield worked three double-plays on the night helping keeping Harwich base runners from scoring each time. Catcher Dale Corstubble thwarted potential Harwich rallies in the third and fourth innings.Cornstubble picked off Steve Stransbaugh from first base to end the third and caught Jared Bolden (VCU) stealing to end the fourth inning for the Mets.

Strikeouts were also a staple of Saturday's contest as the game saw a combined 19. Harwich pitchers recorded 12 strikeouts as the Hyannis staff struck out 7 Mariners batters.

The first place Hyannis Mets are back in action at 5:00 pm on Sunday June 24th welcoming the Cotuit Kettleers to McKeon Park. Those unable to attend can watch the game and commentary of John Cabral and Chis Blake as every Hyannis Mets home game will be webcast live at http://www.ccbl.cape.com/.

Brian Feltes