Bravehearts

Worcester, MA –  The Bravehearts rallied for three runs in the eighth to tie the game and scored another run in the bottom of the ninth inning for an 8-7 walk-off win over the Suns on Wednesday at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field. The win gives Worcester a three-game winning streak.

 

After Pittsfield (15-19) took a 7-4 lead in the seventh inning, Worcester (20-14) immediately cut into the deficit. Dustin Harris and Mack Cheli led off with back-to-back singles, followed by a Kirk Sidwell RBI double. Idelson Taveras proceeded to drive home a run with an RBI-single, and Mariano Ricciardi tied the game with a sacrifice fly to score Sidwell from third.

 

Kendall Pomeroy pitched a clean top of the ninth, and Harris led off the home half of the inning with a triple to right-center. The next batter, Cheli, grounded to shortstop, but the ball glanced off of Brain McHale’s glove into centerfield, giving Worcester the walk-off win.

Before the Bravehearts’ rally, it was the Suns who came from behind to take a lead. Worcester scored three runs in the fifth inning thanks to a Michael Dellicarri two-run triple. Dellicarri scored on that same play when the relay throw ended up in the Bravehearts’ dugout, giving Worcester a 4-1 advantage.

 

The score remained the same until the top of the seventh inning. Worcester starting pitcher Henry Ennen recorded a quick out, but a double off the bat of Taylor Meilleur followed by an RBI-single from Jack Culumivic plated a run and marked the end of the day for Ennen. Kyle Angel came in in relief and did not record an out. Angel hit two straight batters and walked another two in a row before giving the ball to Pomeroy. Pomeroy allowed two singles – one to McHale and a two-run base knock from Thomas Hughes – and allowed three runs, all of which were charged to Angel.

 

Worcester’s rally in the eighth came against Pittsfield reliever Izaiya Mestre, who relieved Brian Johnson after five innings. Johnson allowed four runs on four hits, walked five, and struck out four. Ennen pitched 6.1 innings for the Bravehearts, allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, and struck out seven.

 

Ricciardi reached base four times for Worcester, three times on walks and once on a single. Harris finished with three hits. Chirs Rinaldi scored a run for the 13th game in a row. McHale was solid for the Suns, finishing 3-4 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base.

 

Worcester hits the road Thursday and Friday. After a day off on Saturday, the Bravehearts return home Sunday for a 4:05 first pitch versus North Shore.