Bravehearts

Worcester, MA – Pittsfield scored at least one run in all but two innings – highlighted by a nine-run fifth – as the Suns cruised past the Bravehearts 18-6 Sunday afternoon at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field.

The scoring started early for the Suns (6-4), who were previously 0-2 versus the Bravehearts up to this point in 2019. Pittsfield quickly loaded the bases against Worcester starter Jakob Barker, and Jeff Boggess brought all three runners home on a single in-and-out of the glove of a diving Jakob Sessa in left field. Jack Culumovic later singled home Boggess to give Pittsfield an early 4-0 lead.

Worcester (4-4) did show signs of life and immediately cut into the deficit. Mariano Ricciardi led off with a double followed by a Sessa single, and Jack Gardner doubled both runners home.

Barker lasted just the one inning, giving up four runs on three hits. Alex Rosario replaced Barker and pitched the next three innings, but Pittsfield was not phased by the new hurler. Dom Hughes homered in the second inning, Mark Coley recorded a hit-by-pitch RBI with the bases loaded in the third, and Jackson Petersen homered in the fourth.

Already with a 6-2 lead, Pittsfield exploded in the fifth inning to blow the game open. When all was said and done, the Suns scored nine runs against relievers Travis Owens and James Flahive, including a three-RBI double for Petersen and a two-RBI double for Coley.

A Nicholas Martin sacrifice fly RBI, a Paul Coumoulos RBI-double, an Idelson Taveras sacrifice fly RBI and a Ricciardi RBI-triple gave Worcester four more runs later in the game. Pittsfield tacked on another run in the eighth and ninth innings as well.

Six players recorded multiple hits for Pittsfield, and five knocked in multiple RBI. Petersen led the way with a 3-5 day with 5 RBI. Suns starter Jake Kodros lasted five innings, allowing just two runs and striking out four. Ricciardi was a bright spot for Worcester, going 3-5 with an RBI.

Worcester looks to get back in the win column tomorrow when the home stand continues against North Shore. First pitch is at 6:30 as the Bravehearts look for their first win against the Navigators this season.