Bravehearts

Worcester, MA -  The Futures Collegiate Baseball League has officially named eleven members of the Worcester Bravehearts to the 2019 All-star game. With the eleven selections, Worcester will have the most players represented in the game.

Five members of the pitching staff were selected for the Bravehearts including three starters and two relievers. Shawn Babineau (Springfield College), Worcester’s ace highlighted the pitching staff. Babineau (5-0) is tied for the league lead in wins while also holding a 1.74 ERA, 0.70 WHIP 36 strikeouts through 31 innings pitched. Closer-turned-starter Angelo Baez (St. Thomas Aquinas) was the next Braveheart selected. In eight appearances Baez holds a 3-1 record with a 2.21 ERA with 34 strikeouts. The final starter selected was Eric Chavarria (Cypress). The right hander holds a 2.90 ERA, a 1-1 record and 29 strikeouts. 

For the Worcester relievers, it was Jakob Barker (Valdosta State) and Bryce Hellgeth (Dayton). After struggling as a starter, Barker was converted to a long-relief role and thrived. Since being moved to a reliever role, Barker holds a 1.46 ERA with two saves and 22 strikeouts. The last Bravehearts pitcher to make the team is Hellgeth. After Baez was moved to a starting role, Hellgeth was thrown into the fire as the team’s closer. Since being inserted into the role, the righty owns a 1.10 ERA with seven saves, good for third in the FCBL. 

On the offensive side, six Bravehearts were selected. At catcher, Riley Livingston (Holy Cross) was named an all-star. Livingston hit .379 in the first half of the year with a .459 on-base percentage and a home run. Defensively, Livingston owns a .992 fielding percentage with 10 assists. 

Four members of the Bravehearts infield made the team as well. First basemen Paul Coumoulos (Saint Leo) starts off the infield introductions. Coumoulos is hitting .291 this season with a home run and 15 RBI on the season. Mariano Ricciardi (Dayton) was the next member selected. The Bravehearts leadoff man and second basemen hit .304 on the season, with a team leading .459 in qualified on-base percentage. He also leads the team in doubles with 10. Tyler Becker (Adelphi) represents the left side of the Bravehearts infield. The shortstop owns a .264 average with two home runs and 13 RBI. The final member of Worcester’s infield to be named an all-star is Ben McNeil (NYIT). The third basemen has hit .276 in his first season with the Bravehearts with two home runs and four stolen bases. 

The lone outfielder to make it for Worcester is Jakob Sessa (St. Petersburg). Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Sessa has managed to hit .324 with a home run and 14 RBI. 

Outfielder Joe Pesce (NYIT) could also make the game through the 2019 Futures League All-Star Game Fan Vote. Since joining the team a few weeks into the season, Pesce has hit .340 and has had a hit in all but three games. Voting will close Sunday July 13th at 11:59pm, so make sure to vote for Joe HERE.

The FCBL All-Star game will be held on July 16th in Pittsfield, MA at 7:05pm.