With Losing Streak at Four, Anglers Needing a Spark

by Chris Jones, 06-24-2013

The Chatham Anglers are in the midst of a four-game losing streak, their longest since July 16-22, 2012. Despite taking a loss against Orleans on Sunday night, there were positives to take away from the game.

"A loss like that definitely hurts, but I saw a lot of positives," Coach John Schiffner said. "We finally showed some fight, and we showed we really wanted to win, which is a good thing to see."

The road does not get any easier for the Anglers on Monday, as they will travel to Lowell Park for the first time this season to take on the Cotuit Kettleers (7-3), who sit atop the Western Division.

Cotuit comes into Monday having won five of their last seven games, and have the league leader in hitting in first-baseman/pitcher Mike Ford (Princeton). Ford has started all ten games for the Kettleers, and his hitting for a league-leading .429 batting average.

He also has a 1.92 ERA and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched this season for the Kettleers.

Right behind Ford, and second in the league in hitting, is Chatham infielder Mitchell Gunsolus (Gonzaga). While the Anglers are batting .249 as a team, Gunsolus is hitting for a .405 average, is second in the league in hits with 13, and has five RBI on the season.

For Gunsolus, there is no real secret to his success.

"I think it just comes down to the fact that I am seeing the ball well and getting good pitches to hit," Gunsolus said.

Looking to stop the bleeding and give Chatham their first win since June 18 at Hyannis will be left-hander Andrew Mcgee (Monmouth). McGee has been the ace of the pitching staff so far this season, not allowing a run and striking out 12 in 11 innings pitched this year.

With McGee on the mound, the Anglers are confident in their chances to get back on track.

"I am not going to guarantee a win, but I am going to guarantee that he (McGee) will have a good performance," Sheehan Planas-Arteaga said. "He has been lights-out for us this season, and if he keeps doing what he has been doing, we're going to be in a good position."

Attempting to deal Chatham their fifth loss in a row will be Jared Walsh (Georgia), who makes his first start of the season for Cotuit. In two appearances this season for the Kettleers, Walsh has a 0.87 ERA and six strikeouts in 10.1 innings pitched.

Although there are still 34 games yet to play, and it is probably too early to think about playoffs for the Anglers, it is definitely on their mind.

"It is never too early to think about playoffs," Gunsolus said. "The season can go one of two ways, we can either pack it in after four straight losses, or we can come out these next 34 games, play well, and win some games."

First pitch at 5 p.m. Tune into the Anglers Extra Pregame Show at 4:40 p.m. for live coverage with broadcasters Brandon Liebhaber and Keith Zubrow at TRZ Teamline or call 1-800-846-4700, code 3841.

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