Bravehearts

Blues Come Back to Beat Bravehearts

 

Worcester, MA – Trailing by three runs heading into the middle innings, Bristol scored two runs in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to take down Worcester, 7-5, at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field on Sunday afternoon.

 

Worcester took an early 4-1 lead after three innings, but Bristol (25-22) started to take over after that. In the top of the fourth, Peyton Stephens singled and was brought home one batter later on a triple from Jimmy Sullivan. The next batter, Alex Baumann, doubled home Sullivan to cut the deficit to just one.

 

In the fifth, Alex Loparco singled and scored later in the inning on a Justyn-Henry Malloy double. Malloy eventually scored when Stephens reached on an error to take a one run lead.

 

The Bravehearts proceeded to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth when Chris Rinaldi doubled and scored thanks to two wild pitches. The Blues, however, quickly responded in the top of the sixth with two more runs courtesy of a Dylan Reynolds sacrifice fly and a Richard Brereton RBI-single.

 

Worcester (30-18) was hot with the bats in the first inning. Mariano Ricciardi led off with a single, Chris Rinaldi doubled, and Michael Dellicarri singled home Ricciardi. Bristol starter Adam Riggleman tried to pick off Dellicarri at first but threw it away, allowing Rinaldi to score. Edward Haus brought home Dellicarri on a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

 

Bristol’s other run came in the top of the second when Malloy doubled and ultimately scored on a Theodore Hague RBI-single.

 

Jake Sanderson lasted 4.2 innings for the Bravehearts. The righty allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits. Rob Cerulle takes the loss after he surrendered the two decisive runs in the sixth inning.

 

Riggleman worked four innings, gave up five runs (three earned) on six hits, walked two and struck out three. Zachary Dionne pitched a scoreless inning in relief, followed by three scoreless innings from Justin Rouse, who picked up the win. Neal McDermott struck out two in the ninth to pick up the save.

Rinaldi finished 3-4 with two doubles in his final Bravehearts’ game. He is set to undergo shoulder surgery. Loparco, Malloy, Sullivan, and Baumann all recorded multi-hit games for the Blues.

 

The Bravehearts return to action in Worcester Tuesday evening at 6:30 against the Sharks. Worcester trails Martha’s Vineyard for top spot in the FCBL standings, which guarantees homefield advantage in the playoffs.