A Smoky Setback in Wareham
The Cotuit Kettleers were unable to find traction on Thursday night, dropping a 6‑0 decision to the Brewster Whitecaps in a game cut short by thick wildfire smoke that blanketed the Cape Cod region.
Brewster struck first, capitalizing on an RBI single from Jacob Lee of Virginia Commonwealth that put the Whitecaps ahead early, a lead that was compounded by a miscommunication between catcher Brady Christman and starter Adam McKelvey, resulting in a 2‑0 hole for Cotuit.
The Whitecaps extended their advantage in the seventh inning, adding four runs to the board and sealing the Kettleers' fate before the contest was halted by the deteriorating weather.
Despite the loss, Isaac Sturgess of Wake Forest turned in a solid performance, logging two singles and noting that he approached the at‑bats with a relaxed mindset that allowed the hits to fall.
On the mound, McKelvey, a Georgia Tech product, mounted an impressive streak, retiring 13 consecutive batters after surrendering the early two‑run lead, only to walk one hitter in the fifth before striking out the final opponent to end the inning.
Cotuit coach Rob Cooper praised McKelvey’s composure and the effort of the relief arms, Luke Smyers from Alabama and Everett Garber from Bucknell, who made his debut with two strikeouts in a single inning.
The Kettleers now turn their attention to a Thursday night showdown with the Gatemen in Wareham, hoping to rebound from the setback.