Bravehearts

Worcester, MA – Westfield set the tone early with three runs in the first inning and never looked back en route to a 7-1 win over Worcester Monday night.

Danny Crossen struck out to open the ballgame, but then the Westfield offense started to roll. A single and two walks loaded the bases before an Elijah Dale bases-clearing double with two outs made the score 3-0.

The Starfires proceeded to score a run in three consecutive innings spanning from the third to the fifth to open a 6-0 lead. Again with the bases loaded, Tommy Quinn walked to plate a run in the third. In the fourth, a wild pitch with runners on second and third plated another run. Westfield loaded the bases again in the fifth, and a miscommunication between Worcester catcher Craig Corliss and first baseman Mack Cheli resulted in another run as a snap throw down to first got away.

Westfield added another run in the ninth on another bases loaded walk, this time Dustin Kellogg taking his base.

Worcester’s only run came off of Pat Hannon via a Jakob Sessa homerun to right field in the bottom of the eighth inning for Sessa’s first of the season. The Bravehearts, however, did not lack chances to climb back in the game. Worcester put multiple runners on base with fewer than two outs in the first, third, and ninth innings but could not capitalize. The ‘Hearts stranded the bases loaded to end the game.

Westfield’s Elijah Dale finished with two hits in addition to his three RBI. Christian Walsh joined him with two hits. Two hits apiece from Sessa and Ben McNeil and one from Mariano Ricciardi were all for Worcester.

Chase Jeter shined across five innings for Westfield, scattering four hits and striking out three. Jack Steele, however, lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on five walks and five hits.

During the game, the Bravehearts welcomed nine local teachers onto the field as honorary first base coaches to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Day. The teachers were nominated by their students. All school employees got into the game for free.

Worcester is back in action tomorrow evening at home against Bristol at 6:35, looking to snap a two-game losing streak and to get revenge against Bristol. The Bravehearts fell to the Blues 3-0 in their first and only meeting back on June 12. Barking four-legged friends will be welcomed for Bark in the Park Day.