Bravehearts

Worcester, MA— The Bravehearts’ three-game winning streak was snapped Saturday night as Worcester dropped to 0-4 against the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks, losing 6-3.

The Bravehearts struck first in the bottom half of the opening inning. Chris Rinaldi hit a one-out triple. Rinaldi scored when Brett Coffel reached on an error.

Worcester was unable to hold onto the lead, however. In the top of the second, Martha’s Vineyard tied it up thanks to a double by Matt Oldham, followed up by a Matt Hogan single which brought Oldham in.

Hogan would also drive the go-ahead run in for the Sharks, as he hit a two-run, bases-loaded double in the top of the fourth. The double was part of a three-run fourth for Martha’s Vineyard that put the Sharks up 4-1.

Worcester cut the deficit to two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Edward Haus’ single drove home Mack Cheli, and Brett Coffel scored on a double-play later that inning. That, however, would be the end of the scoring for the Bravehearts.

The Sharks added another insurance run in the top of the ninth, and held on to win 6-3.

Bravehearts Manager J.P. Pyne was ejected in the Bottom of the 7th inning for arguing balls and strikes with homeplate umpire James Byrne. Infielder Chris Rinaldi was called out on a close pitch for strike three, and Pyne began arguing the call from his spot at third base before Byrne tossed him from the game. It is the first ejection of the season for the Bravehearts manager.

Bob Hamel picked up the win for Martha’s Vineyard, while the loss went to Joseph Mancini of the Bravehearts. Getting the save for the Sharks was Matt Mikulski.

The Bravehearts look to rebound on the road tomorrow night in a doubleheader at Bristol against the Blues. Game 1 begins at 3:30 and Game 2 will follow at 7:05 p.m. Both games are 7 innings in length.