Orleans Firebirds

Two Three-Run Innings Doom Orleans

August 2, 2009

By Tyler Maland

Cotuit, Mass. - For the first time in a while, it was the Orleans Firebirds that held an early lead and saw it slip away. Orleans had mustered comeback wins in three of its last four games, but had a 3-0 lead on Cotuit Sunday afternoon and was defeated 7-4 in a game shortened to eight innings because of darkness.

The Firebirds scored runs in the first, fourth and fifth inningson RBI’s by Michael Olt (Connecticut), Danny Muno (Fresno St.) and Kevin Muno (San Diego).

Orleans starter Jimmy Reyes (Elon) held Cotuit to just three hits in the first four innings, but a 3-run double by Zach Cone (Georgia) in the fifth tied the game at three.

The two teams traded runs in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh, setting up another potentially exciting finish for the hot Firebirds team. It was Cotuit, however, that came up with three runs in the bottom of the seventh.

With runners on first and third in the decisive seventh, Cody Stanley (UNC Wilmington) had a bunt single down the third baseline that scored one run. Tony Plagman (Georgia Tech) hit a sacrifice fly to center later in the inning, and Cameron Rupp (Texas) finished off the scoring with an RBI double down the right field line.

Sunday’s game was not without controversy. There were two close calls that went Cotuit’s way and brought Firebirds field manager Kelly Nicholson out of the dugout to argue. The second, in that bottom of the seventh inning, was an attempted pick-off of Cone at third base while the score was still 4-4. Cone was called safe, Nicholson was irate with the call, and was thrown out of the game. Cone proceeded to score the go-ahead run, and Cotuit scored the final two runs of the inning with two outs.

To compound Orleans’s problems, the game was called after eight innings, the only league game of the day called early because of darkness. Orleans, which had scored in the ninth inning in three of its last four games, was unable to make that attempt, and Cotuit walked away with the 7-4 victory.

Brock Stassi (Nevada) pitched 1.2 innings out of the bullpen for Orleans and got the loss, surrendering those three seventh-inning runs. Benjamin Rowen (Virgnia Tech) pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief for Cotuit, and picked up the win.

Kevin Muno and Olt each had two hits and one RBI for Orleans. Rupp went 2-for-4, and Kevin Patterson (Auburn) 3-for-3 for Cotuit.

Orleans is now 22-17-2, five points behind Y-D for first place in the east. The Firebirds will play two of their final three games at home, starting with a 7:00 p.m. match-up against Hyannis at Eldridge Park in Orleans. Cotuit is 20-17-5 and has the most points in the West.

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Home Firebirds News Game Day Central Roster Statistics Coaching Staff Sounds of the Game Clinics Volunteer Alumni Contact	Two Three-Run Innings Doom Orleans August 2, 2009 By Tyler Maland Cotuit, Mass. - For the first time in a while, it was the Orleans Firebirds that held an early lead and saw it slip away. Orleans had mustered comeback wins in three of its last four games, but had a 3-0 lead on Cotuit Sunday afternoon and was defeated 7-4 in a game shortened to eight innings because of darkness. The Firebirds scored runs in the first, fourth and fifth inningson RBI’s by Michael Olt (Connecticut), Danny Muno (Fresno St.) and Kevin Muno (San Diego). Orleans starter Jimmy Reyes (Elon) held Cotuit to just three hits in the first four innings, but a 3-run double by Zach Cone (Georgia) in the fifth tied the game at three. The two teams traded runs in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh, setting up another potentially exciting finish for the hot Firebirds team. It was Cotuit, however, that came up with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on first and third in the decisive seventh, Cody Stanley (UNC Wilmington) had a bunt single down the third baseline that scored one run. Tony Plagman (Georgia Tech) hit a sacrifice fly to center later in the inning, and Cameron Rupp (Texas) finished off the scoring with an RBI double down the right field line. Sunday’s game was not without controversy. There were two close calls that went Cotuit’s way and brought Firebirds field manager Kelly Nicholson out of the dugout to argue. The second, in that bottom of the seventh inning, was an attempted pick-off of Cone at third base while the score was still 4-4. Cone was called safe, Nicholson was irate with the call, and was thrown out of the game. Cone proceeded to score the go-ahead run, and Cotuit scored the final two runs of the inning with two outs. To compound Orleans’s problems, the game was called after eight innings, the only league game of the day called early because of darkness. Orleans, which had scored in the ninth inning in three of its last four games, was unable to make that attempt, and Cotuit walked away with the 7-4 victory. Brock Stassi (Nevada) pitched 1.2 innings out of the bullpen for Orleans and got the loss, surrendering those three seventh-inning runs. Benjamin Rowen (Virgnia Tech) pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief for Cotuit, and picked up the win. Kevin Muno and Olt each had two hits and one RBI for Orleans. Rupp went 2-for-4, and Kevin Patterson (Auburn) 3-for-3 for Cotuit. Orleans is now 22-17-2, five points behind Y-D for first place in the east. The Firebirds will play two of their final three games at home, starting with a 7:00 p.m. match-up against Hyannis at Eldridge Park in Orleans. Cotuit is 20-17-5 and has the most points in the West. (Box Score)