Falmouth Walks by Cotuit 3-2 in Ten Innings

Colleen Loftus/Web Reporter

The Commodores (10-9-1) took the walk-off win earlier this evening as they battled the Cotuit Kettleers(9-11) for ten innings. The score remained close the entire game, the final score tallying 3-2. Closing pitcher for the Commodores Garrett Cleavinger (Oregon) was credited with the win, pitching the final two innings and striking out three batters.

Falmouth arrived at Guv Fuller Field determined to put their 8-1 loss to YD behind them. An error by left fielder Boomer White (Texas Christian) allowed one run for the Kettleers, but the Commodores remained alert defensively throughout the game. Communication was key as the Falmouth pitchers swiftly assisted in three Kettleers outs. Second baseman Matt Eureste (San Jacinto) proved to be the most valuable infielder of the game, gunning four balls to first and assisting in one double play. The Commodores retired the Kettleers in three batters in three innings, one of which being the top of the ninth. Cotuit catcher Ian Rice (Chipola) was caught stealing in the top of the seventh, as relief pitcher Travis Stout (Jacksonville State) made the throw to first.

The Commodores succeeded in working themselves around the diamond offensively. While they left some runners on base at the end of several innings, their hits were consecutive and provided many dynamic opportunities for scoring. Falmouth finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh, as Sam Gillikin (Auburn) poked a sacrifice hit to center field to bring Jake Madsen (Ohio) home from second. The score was tied 1-1 heading into the eighth.

Falmouth’s pitching appeared to have improved immensively following the team’s loss to the Yd Red Sox. Starting pitcher Casey Muholland (South Florida) struck out one batter in three consecutive innings. He also delivered back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the fifth, holding off two runners in scoring position to end the inning. Stout delivered two strikeouts in the top of the sixth. Unfortunately, it was three ground ball singles allowed by relief pitcher Donny Murray (Rice) that eventually allowed Cotuit to gain a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth. Closing pitcher Garrett Cleavinger stepped to the mound in the top of the ninth. Cleavinger struck out back-to-back Cotuit batters, holding the team’s deficit to one run.

The Commodores knew the game was not over. They had scored their lone run in the bottom of the ninth the previous night against YD, and the team knew they could do it again. With a 1-1 count, shortstop Kevin Newman (Arizona) sent a skidding RBI single to left field, scoring Gillkin from second with two outs. The game entered extra innings tied 2-2, and Cleavinger managed to hold off the pressing Kettleers for one last at-bat for the Commodores. With bases loaded, Madsen was walked by Cotuit relief pitcher Taylor Durand (Western Carolina) to end the game 3-2.

The Commodores will travel to Cotuit tomorrow, July 4, 2014, for a 5:00 p.m. game. For more information, visit the Falmouth Commodores website at http://www.falmouthcommodores.com.