Bravehearts

Worcester, MA – Worcester looked like a team riding a four-game winning streak in the first inning, but the bats quickly went cold and the Rox clawed back to leave with a 5-4 win Wednesday afternoon.

Worcester (18-16) was red-hot from the start and jumped out to big lead. The first five batters reached base in the bottom of the first inning, and four of them scored. Mack Cheli singled two runners home, followed by a two-RBI double off the bat of Tyler Becker.

Jakob Sessa singled to lead off the bottom of the second for the Bravehearts, but then the bats went from hot to cold. Sessa’s hit was the last of the day for Worcester, and that opened the door for the Rox to mount a comeback.

Brockton’s answer came in third inning and cut deficit in half with two runs. With runners on second and third, Evan Sleight picked up an RBI with a groundout to second. One batter later, Gabe Giosso singled to drive in a run.

The Rox (18-16) scored one run in the fourth and tied the game in the sixth inning on a Giosso home run off of Brian Robertson. With Christopher Macca on in relief for Worcester, Brockton took the lead for good on an Eddy Hart sacrifice fly in the seventh. It was a bright spot on an otherwise tough day for Hart, who struck out four times.

The Worcester loss spoiled a good start from Eric Chavarria, who went five innings and allowed three earned runs. The Cypress College right-hander struck out 11 hitters, including an immaculate inning in the fifth inning. Overall, Bravehearts pitching struck out 17 Rox batters.

Although Brockton starter Dominic Rutigliano allowed four runs in four innings, Scott Creedeon was phenomenal in relief. The righty pitched the final five innings and did not allowed a run or a hit. Casey O’Laughlin and Nick Shumski each recorded two hits, and JP Knight picked up an RBI.

The game started at 10:30 in the morning as the Bravehearts welcomed local groups for Camp Day.

The Bravehearts now hit the road for four games – including a doubleheader Saturday at Brockton – before the All Star break, which runs from July 14 to July 17. The next Worcester home game is July 18. First pitch is at 6:30 against the Silver Knights.