Bravehearts

Worcester, MA -  After two losses in Nashua on Wednesday, Worcester got revenge on the Fourth of July rematch against the Navigators. 

The scoring got going early in the first. Mariano Ricciardi doubled, followed by a John Thrasher single that put runners on the corners. A wild pitch scored Ricciardi and advanced Trasher, then a Tyler Becker single scored Thrasher to put Worcester up 2-0.

Back-to-back home runs by Jared Dupere and Ben Cowles to lead off the second inning tied the game. Luis Atiles then singled and advanced on an error by Becker. Ben Irvine’s single brought home Atiles and Nashua took the lead. 

It only took a half inning for Worcester to answer back. Riley Livingston walked, and Joe Pesce singled to lead off the inning. Ricciardi grounded back to the pitcher, but Nashua starter Daniel O’Connor overthrew first base allowing Ricciardi to reach and Livingston to score. After Ben McNeill walked, the bases were re-loaded for Mack Cheli who was hit by a pitch to give Worcester the lead. The ‘Hearts would add another run in the fourth inning. Trevor Johnson hit a lead-off double and stole third. After a wild pick-off attempt, Johnson was able to score to increase the lead. 

In the fifth, Becker led off the inning with a walk and stole second. Livingston hit him home with a base hit, and Pesce reached on an error. With two outs, Johnson doubled, scoring both Livingston and Pesce. Ricciardi then came up and singled in Johnson making the score 9-3. 

The third home run of the game for Nashua was hit in the sixth when Joe Bramanti hit a solo home run off of Worcester starting pitcher Shawn Babineau. 

With Alex Rosario in to pitch for Worcester, Nashua closed the gap in the seventh. Atiles led off with a single, followed by back-to-back walks of Blandini and Irvine. A single by Dylan Jones scored both Atiles and Blandini and cut the lead to 9-6. Jakob Barker then came in to pitch for Worcester, and got the next three batters out. 

The Bravehearts added insurance in the eighth. PJ Barry singled to lead off the inning, and was hit in by McNeill on a double. McNeill advanced to third and then scored on a Becker sacrifice fly to make the score 11-6. 

Babineau got the win for Worcester, going six innings while allowing three earned runs with six strikeouts. Earning a three-inning save for the Bravehearts was Barker. 

Worcester travels to Bristol tomorrow to take on the Blues. Their next home game will be Wednesday, July 10 at 10:30 am for Camp Day.