Hyannis Mets Team Coverage 2009

The game was destined to be a pitcher's duel, with Chad Bell (Walter State JC, 1-0) on the mound for Cotuit and Cole Johnson (Notre Dame, 1-1) starting for Hyannis. Both pitchers averaged a strikeout per inning in their previous outings and Bell had yet to give up an earned run. Not to mention, both teams have exceptional team ERA's (Cotuit, 2.11; Hyannis, 2.75)

Bell allowed the first run of the game shortly after attempting to pick off Crawford (UAB) on first base. He threw over multiple times and that didn't stop Crawford from taking second when Bell finally did throw to the plate. Crawford scored on a single by Harrington (East Carolina). Bell came out in the 5th, pitching 4.1 innings, recording 3 strikeouts and a run on 3 hits.

Johnson first ran into trouble in the bottom of the 5th. He walked the leadoff batter, Patterson (Auburn), who advanced to third on a single by Plagman (Georgia Tech). Cory Vaughn struck out and Rowland grounded to the pitcher who caught Patterson going for home. With 2 outs and a full count, Bisson (Kentucky) singled to drive in the tying run, Plagman.

Johnson was relieved after 6 innings pitched. He stuck out 8 and allowed 1 run on 4 hits. At this point in the game, neither starting pitcher could snag a win.

After a series of pitching changes in the middle innings, Ben Rowen (Virginia Tech) closed out the game. He inherited two runners in the top of the 7th, but disposed of three straight batters with his submarined style delivery. Rohan, Burkhart and Soto went down swinging for the Mets. 

In the Bottom of the 8th, Eric Maust (Notre Dame) gave up a single to Rowland and proceeded to walk Rico Noel. Kevin Moran came in to pitch for Hyannis and with two runners aboard and one out, he deflected a hard ground ball off his glove which made the ball out of reach for the second baseman Crawford. That could have been an inning ending double play and instead Rowland scored from second as the ball dribbled into shallow right field.  That was the winning run and the loss was accredited to Maust (0-1). The Hyannis Mets went down without a fight in the top of the ninth. Rowen was rewarded the win.