Whalers' bats silenced by Mashpee hurler
BY STEVE SHEPPARD INDEPENDENT SPORTS EDITOR
It's the classic baseball parlor game - you make the call. Here's the situation: in the bottom of the fifth inning against Mashpee Saturday afternoon, Ethan Bell was hit by a pitch to reach first base. A stolen base and passed ball later, he stands on third, looking to be brought home by Tomas Smaliorius, who bunts. The ball is fielded by Mashpee pitcher Joe Ruo, who holds the ball to prevent the run. Bell retreats to third, as Smolarius makes it safely to first.

Is it a hit, an error, or a fielder's choice? Evidently, one of the latter options applied as Ruo was credited with a no-hitter, the first in Mashpee history.

Bell did score, as Jamie Viera came up next and brought him home with a sacrifice bunt. Nantucket's lone run averted the shutout, but Ruo was masterful Saturday afternoon, fanning 11 in Mashpee's 9-1 victory.

Smaliorius started the game for the Whalers and struck out two. Anthony Valero came on to pitch three innings of relief.

The Whalers are at 2-3 on the season. Mashpee improved to 4-4 on the year.

Nantucket plays at home this afternoon against

PHOTOS BY ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent Ethan Bell steals second during Saturday's game against Mashpee. A passed ball moved him to third and Jamie Viera bunted him home for the Whalers' only run.

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