Bravehearts

Brockton, MA- The Bravehearts came from behind twice in a 7-6 victory over the Brockton Rox. The scoring started in the top of the first inning when Marriano Ricciardi scored on an error. The two teams each scored a run in the third inning, Worcester on a ground out, and Brockton on a solo home run by Eddy Hart. Andrew Marra and Nick Shumski hit back-to-back solo home runs for Brockton in the sixth to put Brockton ahead 3-2.

The eighth inning saw both teams score three runs. For Worcester, Joseph Pesce and PJ Barry each had RBI singles, while Tyler Becker got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 5-3. Brockton scored two runs on a 2-RBI double by Quinn Krais. Krais later scored on an Eddy Hart ground out.

Heading into the ninth it was 6-5 Brockton, and after a pair of Brockton errors the Bravehearts had a runner on second base. Pesce hit a clutch RBI double to tie the game up at six.

After neither team scored in the 10th inning, the game headed to a Home Run Derby to decide the game. The Bravehearts chose Paul Coumoulos to hit, and he put on a show. He hit home run after home run, and even threatened the Futures Collegiate Baseball League record for most home runs hit in a derby, 17 by Zach Tower in 2017 for the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs. Coumoulos finished with 15 home runs, and Brockton could not match the power, as the Bravehearts won the derby by a score of 15-5.

This was the first time the Worcester Bravehearts won a Home Run Derby in franchise history, having previously gone 0-3 in such games.

The two teams will play against each other again tomorrow in Worcester, with first pitch scheduled for 10:30am.