Hyannis Mets Team Coverage 2009

Last night at McKeon Park the Mets (12-20) were defeated 6-8 in a slugging contest with the Orleans Firebirds (18-15). Both teams made solid contact with the ball, hitting a combined total of 20 hits. More than half of the hits took place in the sixth and seventh innings, but solid contact was not the only factor that made those innings exciting.

Until the sixth inning, the Mets were ahead 1-0. Nick Crawford scored the Mets' solo run in the first inning thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Graepel (UNC) and an RBI single by Ryan Cuneo (Delaware).

The Firebirds finally scored in the sixth and gained the 2-1 lead after an unfortunate series of events for the Mets. The designated hitter for Orleans, Jaren Matthews (Rutgers) led off the inning for the Firebirds. Matthews crushed a fly ball to deep left center field, that should have been a routine pop out. However, Mets' left fielder, Johnny Ruetigger (AZU) lost sight of the ball in the lights and fog, which allowed Matthews to reach second.

With their clean up batter (Alex Hassan) at the plate, the Firebirds had runners on first and third with no outs, due to a successful bunt by Riccio Torrez (AZU). Hassan crushed the ball to deep left center field. Mets center fielder, Trent Whitehead (East Carolina), tried to locate the ball, but he too fell victim to the harsh lights and glowing fog. Hassan reached third, scoring Matthews and Torrez.

The Mets responded in the bottom of the inning with their own offensive weapons. Graepel led off by reaching first on an error by the shortstop. Cuneo followed with a solid single to right field. Dustin Harrington (East Carolina) then tied the game with a double that scored Graepel. The go ahead runs were then driven in by Dan "Mini van" Burkhart ( Ohio State) with a single to right field.

With two outs and runners on first and second (two singles by Reuttiger and Bradley Jr.) Whitehead ripped the ball down the first base line. His hustle brought him to third and the Mets scored their fourth and fifth run of the inning, giving them a 6-2 lead.

In the seventh, Mets' pitcher, Kevin Moran (Boston College) loaded the bases with a single and two walks. Moran then hit a batter for the a run scored. Moran was replaced by Chris Haney (Dallas Baptist). Before Haney even threw one pitch, the head umpire warned both benches after a few words were exchanged between Haney, the batter at bat (Hassan) and the Firebird's dugout.

With two runners on the base and in the presence of tension and high emotions, Hassan sent a bullet to right center field. Hassan reached second on a throwing error and one run scored. Hassan crossed home plate two batters later when left fielder, Kevin Muno (San Diego) hit a double just over Ruetigger's head. Then on Muno's attempt to steal third the catcher, Burkhart, threw the ball away in his effort to get Muno out. Muno scored on the missed opportunity for out number three and the Firebirds went up 8-6, which was the final score.

The loss was issued to Moran. The Mets look next to take on Brewster tonight in a double header.